Silver confirm the departure of under-fire CEO Chimbali

By Antony Isaiah Jr:………

Silver Strikers Football Club has confirmed that the ambattled Chief executive officer, Thokozan Chimbali will leave the Club in March after the expiry of his contract.

Silver Strikers supporters held demonstrations against the Chief Executive Officer for the decisions that he has been making at the Club, including releasing some players from the squad. The supporters went on to seal the offices of the team demanding the CEO to step down from his post.

However, the Times Sport reported that the directors of the team backed the Under-fire Chimbali and fan engagement Officer, David Dauda.

Sponsors Reserve Bank of Malawi (RBM), led by governor Wilson Banda, summoned the directors, secretariat and supporters to an emergency meeting at the Club House in Lilongwe Sunday and well-placed source confided in Times Sport that the supporters were told that they were overstepping their mandate.

“The supporters were told that they do not have the mandate to fire the two officers because Silver is a limited company. In fact, the governor was not happy with the conduct of the supporters,’’ said the source.

According to the source, the sponsors asked all the stakeholders to have a meeting to resolve the differences.

RBM spokesperson Ralph Tseka confirmed that the meeting took place but said it was an internal matter.

However, on Tuesday, the Chief Executive Officer said he has taken a leave until the end of his contract claiming that he has been facing death threats from the fans.

“Silver Strikers is my home but when your life is at stake, consider your family first. My contract ends on 30th March 2023 with the company and I have asked the board not to renew it. Meanwhile I have decided to take leave till the end of my contract,” he writes on Facebook.

Meanwhile, reacting in the matter, the Central Bankers through a press release signed by the Club’s General Secretary, Peter Masiye has begged for patience from the supporters as the Club handles the transition matters.

“Silver Strikers Football Club would like to inform all stakeholders, and the general public that the club has agreed that the contract of the Chief Executive Officer Mr Thokozan Chimbali will not be renewed when it expires on 31st March, 2023,” reads part of the press release.

Currently, the Club’s marketing manager, Ms Faith Mzungu will be the acting Chief Executive Officer for the Club.

Chimbali also faced a resistance from the fans who, earlier last year, stopped the appointment of Chisomo Mwamadi as the Director of Supporters.

Reserve Bank of Malawi (RBM) outfit in 2020 appointed Thoko Chimbali who was National Youth Football Association general secretary as their chief executive officer (CEO). The Central Bankers board of trustees chairperson Victor Madhlopa said the CEO would spearhead the club’s commercialisation drive.

Under his tenure, Chimbali won the FDH Bank Cup in its inaugural season but failed to defend it after Silver Strikers got knocked out by Dedza Dynamos.