Yabwanya gets a ten year ban

Football Association of Malawi (FAM) 2014 presidential candidate Willy Yabwanya Phiri has reportedly been banned for ten years from taking part in any football related activities for taking matters of the sport to the court.

This came just hours before he temporarily resigned as Karonga United trustee due to ‘personal reasons.’

In 2014, he together with Wilkins Mijiga and Tiya Somba Banda successfully sought Fam Appeals Committees intervention stopping the elections only for Blantyre High Court to vacate the injunction.

They had all protested the results of the FA polls.

A ruling by a special committee has since banned the Canada based Yabwanya for ten and is yet to name the punishments to the others.

He had yesterday announced to have pulled out of super league rookies Karonga United.

According to letter written by Yabwanya, the 2015 Football Association of Malawi presidential aspirant has temporarily resigned with immediate effect as Karonga United trustee.

“I write to inform you all that due to Personal reasons, I with immediate effect temporarily step down as a Trustee of Karonga United,” reads part of the letter signed by Yabwanya.

Yabwanya added by thanking the people of Karonga for the faith they showed in his leadership skills and he was also grateful for all the achievements they made together.

“Karonga United is a community team for the people of Karonga and I would like to thank you all for the faith you showed in me and my leadership skills. It’s been an honour to serve you and I am grateful for all the accomplishments we have achieved together,” he said.

Yabwanya further said that he has left the leadership role to his fellow trustees Bishop Simama, Chief Kyungu, Kossam Munthali and Speaker of Parliament Richard Msowoya.

He wished the remaining trustees well as they will be taking the team forward and he added that he will be available for an advisory role if he will be needed to advise the team.

“I know I love soccer as its dear to my heart and I assure you that I will continue to develop our talent on grassroots level and still put our district and Malawi on the map,” said Yabwanya.

Under his leadership Yabwanya guided Karonga United into the Tnm Super league but they only played for one season as they were relegated from the league.

Meanwhile, Karonga United have been promoted back to the Super League as a replacement for Chilumba Barracks which will not participate in the elite league due to lack of financial support.