Sulumba to rejoin Creck Sporting following Libya sojourn

Former Flames striker Muhammad Sulumba has returned to Malawi after concluding a six-month tenure with Libya’s second-tier outfit, Al-Naser Zliten.

The towering and dynamic forward has returned home following the expiration of his contract with the Libyan side, which opted against renewal due to stringent foreign quota restrictions.

According to Nation Sport, Libyan Football Federation regulations stipulate that clubs may register a maximum of three foreign players.

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Sources with intimate knowledge of the situation indicate that the former Blantyre United, Mighty Wanderers, FCB Nyasa Big Bullets, and Civil Service United marksman is engaged in negotiations with his previous club, Creck Sporting Club, regarding a potential reunion.

Sulumba previously represented Creck last season, and upon his departure, both parties established a gentleman’s agreement that would facilitate his return to the squad upon his homecoming.

The two entities are currently immersed in discussions concerning the parameters of a prospective new contract, as both are eager to rekindle their professional relationship.

Creck Sporting Club board chairperson Muhammad Seleman, in an exclusive interview, confirmed their intention to proceed with negotiations for the prolific striker.

“Sulumba has informed me of his return to the country. Creck remains his preferred destination. We had a mutual understanding when he departed that he would be welcomed back,” Seleman told The Nation.

“His reintegration into Creck will be seamless this time around. He requires no persuasion from anyone. We shall proceed with securing the necessary approval to have him rejoin our ranks.”

Can Sulumba Revitalize Creck’s Offensive Arsenal?

Creck Sporting Club has struggled to emulate their previous season’s impressive form and currently finds itself among the TNM Super League’s underperforming teams.

The club languishes in 11th position after 15 matches, having accumulated 18 points—five points fewer than their tally at the corresponding stage last season.

At this juncture last campaign, Creck had registered 20 goals while conceding 19. However, this season has witnessed a dramatic decline in their attacking potency, managing only half their previous goal output from the first round.

The team has encountered significant difficulties converting chances while simultaneously displaying defensive frailties, having conceded 16 goals and maintaining a concerning -6 goal difference.

Sulumba emerged as one of the club’s most prolific scorers last season, netting seven goals, including a memorable brace against his former employers, FCB Nyasa Big Bullets, at Kamuzu Stadium.

His acquisition could potentially rejuvenate Creck’s offensive capabilities.

Their current leading scorers—Kondwani Chilembwe, Frank Phiri, and Hassan Hussein—have each managed just two goals.

The 30-year-old burst onto the professional scene circa 2012 with Blantyre United (now defunct) before transferring to Mighty Wanderers two years later, subsequently joining FCB Nyasa Big Bullets between 2016 and 2018.

Muhammad’s pursuit of lucrative opportunities took him to South Africa’s Polokwane City in 2018, where he managed only two goals. His career subsequently saw him feature for various clubs across Iran and Bahrain over the past four seasons, interspersed with domestic stints at Wanderers (2020) and Civil Service United (2022).