The Dalton Magistrate Court in Limbe has postponed the hearing of a match-fixing case involving Ntopwa and FOMO Football Clubs.
The match saw FOMO qualify for the TNM Super League by defeating Ntopwa on post-match penalties after the game ended 1-1 in regulation time.
However, suspicions of foul play soon arose, implicating a businessman and four individuals, including officials from the Southern Region Referees Committee and team officials of Bangwe and FOMO.
They are suspected of bribing a referee to make decisions in favour of FOMO to secure their spot in the elite league.
Police Prosecutor Martin Thulu informed MBC Online that they are awaiting consent from the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) to proceed with the hearing of a second count of corrupt practices.
On 5 February 2024, Mphatso Jika, Director of Bangwe All Stars, team manager Willard Banda, Mary Woodworth, Director of FOMO FC, businessman Billy Sevele and Southern Region Referees Committee General Secretary Alfred Kaphamtengo were accused of offering a bribe of K1.2 million to referee Mayamiko Kanjere to favour FOMO in the final match played on 4 February.
However, Kanjere was later replaced by Mwayi Msungama as referee for the game.
