Super League of Malawi (Sulom) says all Super League clubs will now be exempted from fixtures

 when the Flames are playing on Fifa-sanctioned dates.

Previously, only clubs that contributed more than three players to the national team were exempted from fixtures.

Sulom general secretary Williams Banda confirmed the development, saying they will now follow international practice where local football breaks when the national team is in action.

He said: “We will follow the FAM [Football Association of Malawi] calendar where the Super League will have its own dates and matches will not be played when the national team is playing.”

Super League matches will not be played when the Flames are in camp

Nyasa Big Bullets and Silver Strikers, two of the clubs that contribute substantial numbers of players to the Flames, have welcomed the development.

Bullets chief administration offer Albert Chigoga said: “This is consistent with modern management of fixtures during Fifa international breaks. It shows we are moving with times.”

On his part, Silver chief executive officer Thoko Chimbali said: “I haven’t seen the communication, but if true, then that’s the best practice as this is the trend all over the world where football professionalism is being advanced.”

But Mighty Tigers technical director Robin Alufandika said the arrangement would prove costly for some teams, especially those that do not have sponsors.

He said: “Of course, that is in line with the practice worldwide, but they should also consider teams like ours that do not have sponsors because it means prolonging the season.”

Football analyst Charles Nyirenda, however, observed that there will be need for FAM and Sulom to ensure the season is not prolonged by sticking to the calendar.

He said: “While this arrangement works, it calls for discipline. FAM and Sulom must ensure they follow the calendar by sticking to the activities on it. We all know when the Flames will play their matches.”

During the last Sulom annual

 general meeting (AGM) held in Mangochi in September last year, clubs expressed concerns that the absence of even one key player can affect a team’s performance.

There clubs also argued that exempted teams are given unfair advantage as they end up having several games in hand.

The clubs also expressed concerns that the arrangement gives room to match fixing.

Exempted teams also complained that they end up being under pressure when they have games in hand.

The Flames will this year participate in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, Africa Nations Championship qualifers as well as Cosafa Cup.

The 2022 TNM Super League season is expected to kick off next week and the season starts with a Charity Shield between TNM Super League champions Big Bullets and FDH Bank Cup champions Silver Kamuzu Stadium in Blantyre on Saturday

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