Northern Region Football Association (NRFA) has protested the proposed sale of Karonga-based Baka City FC to Masters Security Group of Companies, arguing that the move will undermine football development in the region. Baka City, who have just reclaimed their place in the FDH Bank Premiership, formerly the TNM Super League, have confirmed that negotiations are underway to seal dea which will results in the Karonga-based outfit relocating to Lilongwe where the security firm is headquartered. However, NRFA chairperson Masiya Nyasulu in an interview yesterday said they are against the move because it would further reduce the number of top-flight teams from the Northern Region.
Currently, the region has three FDH Bank Premiership sides, namely Moyale Barracks, Karonga United and Chitipa United, following the relegation of Songwe Border and Mzuzu City Hammers. Nyasulu said the association has advised the club to pursue a sponsorship deal rather than an outright sale. “As a regional body, we are urging them to settle for sponsorship deal, which would strengthen the club and help rebuild,” he said.
He also further observed that relocating Baka City to Lilongwe would also increase travel costs for Northern Region-based teams since they will be on the road to fulfil more away fixtures. But Baka City chairperson Bentry Jembe said the club prefers an outright sale due to lack of financial support. “What the association is recommending is good, however, those who were financing the team have indicated that they cannot manage to finance the team at elite level.
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“In such a scenario, we have no option but to sale the club. We have all along been pleading for financial support, but no one came to rescue the team. So, the lesser evil is to sell it,” he said.
According to Football Association of Malawi (FAM) club licensing records, Baka City is owned by the Baka community in Karonga led by Jembe. In an interview, FAM club licensing manager Clement Kafwafwa said the association cannot block the sale unless contractual issues arise. “We have no say over the team selling to Masters unless some issues to do with players contracts complaints on outstanding payments can come in along the way.
Then we would take interest,” he said. Meanwhile, Masters Security Group of Companies official Christopher Njeula said they will soon officially announce the team takeover.
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