Football Association of Malawi (FAM) competitions subcommittee has shifted the TNM Super League kick off date from February 26 to March 12.

FAM competitions and communications director Gomezgani Zakazaka said this was resolved during a meeting held on Saturday in Blantyre where the football calendar for the 2022 season was also drawn.

He said the season will start on March 5 with the Charity Shield which will feature TNM Super League and Airtel Top 8 champions Nyasa Big Bullets and FDH Bank Cup winners Silver Strikers.

Said Zakazaka: “The changes were made after looking at a number of logistical factors.” He said details pertaining to the football calendar will be announced in due course.

Bullets taking on Blue Eagles in a Super League season opener in November 2020

Super League of Malawi (Sulom) has since said the change will not affect its plans. In an interview yesterday,

 Sulom general secretary (GS) Williams Banda said: “The shift does not affect our planning per se because reasons for the shift are valid.

“However, ground owners and teams are urged to ensure that the match venues are attended to accordingly.”

He also reminded the teams that Covid-19 protocols as announced by government will be adhered to before kick-off.

“Covid tests will be a requirement and vaccination is also encouraged. Washing of hands, sanitisation, social distancing and masking up are still the order of the day,” said the Sulom GS.

 Reacting to the change, Bullets chief administration officer Albert Chigoga said: “The shift resonates well with us considering that from the onset, the initial date of February 26 looked impractical for a number of reasons .

“It’s now down to us as clubs to intensify our preparations for the kick-off.”

On his part, Civil Service United general secretary Ronald Chiwawula also welcomed the change, saying it gives teams a bit of more time to prepare.

He said: “This is what we had been pushing for because clubs needed more time to plan in both technical and administrative aspects. So, we are happy.”

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