Ex-Chippa United coach causes storm after releasing Malawi’s top scorer
Former Chippa United coach Mark Harrison has caused a storm in Malawi after offloading ex-Polokwane City striker Muhammad Sulumba from Mighty Wanderers.
Mark Harrison has axed Muhammad Sulumba despite the fact that he was Wanderers’ top league scorer last season.
HOW MARK HARRISON’S WANDERERS JUSTIFIED AXING OF TOP SCORER
The ex-Polokwane City man, Sulumba, scored 15 goals to finish second behind Golden Boot Awardee, Babatunde Adepoju.
However, the former Golden Arrows coach Mark Harrison went ahead to let go Sulumba.
The Englishman Mark Harrison has since signed one-time Jomo Cosmos target Christopher Kumwembe.
Sulumba went neck-to-neck with the Nigerian Adepoju in last season’s Golden Boot race.
Eventually, Adepoju’s 18 goals helped Nyasa Big Bullets retain the Super League title.
Bullets won the championship for the fourth consecutive time.
Wanderers have since released a statement confirming the axing of Sulumba.
“I would like to remind you that your contract was performance-based,” Wanderers spokesperson Clement Stambuli wrote to Sulumba.
“…you did not meet the performance requirements as expected of you by the said technical panel.”
The letter adds: “you are no longer in their [coaching panel] plans. As such, I regrettably inform you that you have been released on [a] free transfer with immediate effect.”
WHAT SOME QUARTERS IN MALAWI SAY ABOUT SULUMBA’S AXING
Malawi football Facebook page, Waganyu, has since questioned Mark Harrison’s release of Sulumba.
“So, Mark Harrison has decided to release his top goal scorer Muhammad Sulumba. Good decision?” Waganyu wrote.
“Sulumba scored 15 league goals with two assists. He was the Nomad’s top scorer having played 28 games.”
The remarks follow Wanderers’ decision to retain the club’s second leading scorer, Vincent Nyangulu.
“Second to him [Sulumba] at Wanderers was Vincent Nyangulu who scored 6 goals from 29 games and had no assist.
“Chiukepo Msowoya was third with 5 goals from 24 games and like Vin, he had no assist.
Is it a good idea to release Sulumba?”
The English coach won Wanderers the Airtel Top cup weeks after taking over the team last season.
Wanderers have since signed winger Gaddie Chirwa, defenders Lawrence Chaziya, Emmanuel Nyirenda, goalkeeper Dalitso Khungwa and midfielder Mphatso Kamanga.
The club has also axed Bongani Kayipa, Pilirani Mapira, Ted Sumani, Ephraim Kondowe, Adeleke Kalawole, Llyod Mugala and Francis Mlimbika.
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