Mighty Wanderers flamboyant chief supporter Yona ‘Green’ Malunga was taken to task on Wednesday by Blantyre concerned football fans over his presence during the supporters meeting with the Minister of Youth and Sports Enock Chihana at Kamuzu Stadium in the Blantyre.
The Supporters, who were led by Mabvuto Chibambo, were furious with the presence of Malunga as they accused him of being in forefront against the opening of the stadium when they were lobbying government to open it.
Before the meeting, the concerned supporters demanded Malunga to vacate the premises which he defiantly refused.
Chibambo told Nyasa Times that the concerned supporters were furious because Malunga was on one of the radio stations lobbying for government not to open the stadium.
The Police trying to calm larger-than-life Yona Malunga
Chibambo: The chairperson of the concerned football supporters
“We were surprised to see him at the meeting because he was against our plea to government to open the stadium by closing the affected stands. If you observed what happened at the Stadium the concerned fans were demanding for him not to attend the meeting just because he
has been against us,” said Chibambo.
He however commended government and the ministry of Youth and Sports for listening to their grievances.
“I am relieved because what we lobbied has been successful. Our plea to all the supporters in Blantyre is that let us be co-operative by following to what government has asked us,” he said.
For instance, the affected stands will be sealed with iron sheets in order to prevent fans invade the forbidden areas.
Blantyre based out-fits Big Bullets and Mighty Wanderers have also welcomed government decision to re-open the stadium describing it as timely decision.
Mighty Wanderers general secretary David Kanyenda emphasized that when the stadium was closed their team was spending outside their budget.
For instance, he said that they would spend no more than K60, 000 playing in Blantyre while if they travel to Lilongwe or Balaka they cough up to K700.000.
“Let us commend government for rescinding their decision because we were spending a lot playing outside Blantyre,” said Kanyenda.
Concurring with Kanyenda was Big Bullets general secretary Higger Mkandawire, who urged Blantyre based soccer lovers to abide by the rules which has been put in place.