Silver suspend forward Maonga for refusing substitution

TNM Super League champions Silver Strikers have handed striker Chinsisi Maonga a three-week suspension following a disciplinary breach that saw him refuse to enter the pitch as a substitute during the club’s match against FCB Nyasa Big Bullets before the October international break.

The incident has raised questions about the 2021 Reserve graduate’s future at the club, particularly with his contract set to expire in December and negotiations over a new deal yet to reach a conclusion.

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According to reports, head coach Peter Mgangira instructed Maonga to warm up with approximately 10 minutes remaining in the Bullets match, intending to bring him on for the closing stages. However, the striker declined, reportedly telling his coach that the time available was too short for him to make an impact.

The refusal to follow instructions prompted immediate action from the Central Bankers, who moved swiftly to impose the suspension. The punishment rules Maonga out of this week’s crucial CAF Champions League preliminary round second leg against Young African Sports Club of Tanzania at Bingu National Stadium on Saturday.

Silver hold a slender advantage heading into the encounter and will be looking to secure their place in the group stages of Africa’s premier club competition. Despite Maonga’s absence, coach Mgangira has multiple options to call upon in attack, including Andrew Joseph, Binwell Katinji, Stain Davie, and Emmanuel Allan.

The timing of the suspension is particularly significant given the uncertainty surrounding Maonga’s contractual situation. With his current deal expiring at the end of the year and no agreement yet reached on fresh terms, the striker faces the prospect of leaving the Area 30 outfit on a free transfer.

Maonga has been part of Silver’s success story since his promotion from the Reserve team in 2021 alongside Maxwell Paipi, Innocent Shema, and Zebron Kalima. The quartet formed part of the club’s youth development pathway, and Maonga has established himself as a reliable squad member over the past three seasons.

His contributions were particularly valuable during last season’s title-winning campaign, when he scored several crucial goals to help Silver clinch the championship. That track record makes his current situation all the more complicated for both player and club.

The standoff between Maonga and the technical staff raises broader questions about player discipline and squad harmony at a club competing on multiple fronts. Silver are fighting to defend their domestic crown while pursuing continental glory, and any disruption to team unity could prove costly.

For now, the club have taken a firm stance on the matter, making it clear that no player is above the rules regardless of their past contributions. Whether Maonga’s suspension will lead to a resolution or further deterioration in his relationship with the club remains to be seen.

The three-week ban ensures he will miss not only Saturday’s Champions League clash but also crucial league fixtures as Silver look to maintain their position at the summit of Malawian football.

As the December contract deadline approaches, both parties face a decision. Silver must determine whether they want to retain a player who has delivered in key moments but has now crossed a disciplinary line. Maonga, meanwhile, must consider whether his future lies at the club where he developed, or if the time has come to seek opportunities elsewhere.