SULOM throws out Silver, Wanderers fixture postponement request

The TNM Super League governing body, Super League of Malawi (SULOM), has rejected a request from Silver Strikers and Mighty Wanderers to postpone their upcoming fixture due to CAF continental competition preparations.

Wa Mpira reported on Tuesday that both teams had planned to formally request the postponement as they prepare for their respective CAF tournament campaigns.
Continental Commitments Create Scheduling Conflict

The Central Bankers are returning from a two-week FIFA International Break and were scheduled to resume their league campaign with a home match against Wanderers at Silver Stadium on Sunday. However, both clubs sought the postponement citing their continental commitments.

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Silver Strikers, currently third in the league with 36 points, face a demanding schedule this month as they prepare for the CAF Champions League first preliminary round against Elgeco Plus of Madagascar. The defending TNM Super League champions are making their return to continental competition after a four-year absence.

Mighty Wanderers will compete in the CAF Confederation Cup, taking on Jwaneng Galaxy of Botswana in the first preliminary round. The Nomads will host the first leg at Bingu National Stadium before traveling to Botswana for the return fixture.

Should they advance from the first preliminary round, both Malawian clubs have challenging potential opponents awaiting in the second round.

Wanderers would face the winner of the tie between Zesco United of Zambia and FC 105 Libreville of Gabon, while Silver Strikers’ potential second-round opponents would be either Wiliete Bengeula of Angola or Young Africans of Tanzania.

Reports indicate both teams are primarily concerned about the risk of losing key players to injuries in Sunday’s scheduled league encounter, preferring to preserve their squads for the more lucrative and prestigious continental competitions.

The timing of the domestic fixture, coming just days before their CAF competition preparations intensify, has raised concerns among both technical teams about player fitness and squad management.

SULOM General Secretary Williams Banda confirmed receipt of the postponement request and explained the governing body’s position. “We acknowledge receipt of their request and we have engaged them accordingly,” Banda stated. “We congratulate them for joining CAF competitions and extend our heartfelt wishes for the tournaments.

“We also recognize the importance of planning for these competitions, which was done through a formidable calendar. However, both the TNM Super League and CAF tournaments are competitions administered by rules and regulations, and both teams are very much aware of the legal provisions that can facilitate rescheduling of matches. Currently, our regulations do not allow for this postponement,” Williams Banda, SULOM General Secretary told Nation Sport.

This marks a significant return to African competition for both clubs after extended absences from the continental stage.
Silver Strikers last competed in CAF club competition in 2019, when they were eliminated from the CAF Confederation Cup by Ambere SC of Gabon in the first preliminary round.

Mighty Wanderers’ most recent continental appearance was in the 2018 CAF Champions League, where they were knocked out by AS Vita Club of the Democratic Republic of Congo in the preliminary stages.

Both clubs will be eager to make a stronger impression in their return to African football’s premier competitions. The rejection of their postponement request means they must now balance domestic obligations with continental preparations, testing their squad depth and management capabilities.

The decision highlights the ongoing challenge facing African domestic leagues in accommodating continental competition schedules while maintaining the integrity of their own competitions.

Sunday’s fixture at Silver Stadium now carries additional significance, with both teams needing to manage player welfare while fulfilling their domestic commitments ahead of their continental campaigns.