The Malawi Defence Force (MDF) has announced its plans to cut the number of its teams in the top-flight TNM Super League.
The development has affected Simama Northern Region Football Association (NRFA) Premier League champions Chilumba Barracks who will not take part in the flagship league.
According to MDF director of training Brigadier General Alick Mhone this has been done to cut in costs.
“It is becoming increasingly difficult to sponsor teams in the Super League.
“Management is saying it will be expensive to sponsor Chilumba who will be required to travel to the southern and central regions on frequent basis.
“So, the plan is to cut the number of teams to three by 2017 and we have started with Chilumva,” said Mhone.
MDF now has four teams in the top-flight league namely Mafco, Red Lions, Moyale and Kamuzu Barracks.
Last season, they had five teams but one of them Airborne Rangers was relegated although it is still involved in the shelved play-offs to determine the 16th team.
This means the Super League of Malawi (Sulom) has to identify another team from the North to join the elite league.
Karonga United were the runners-up to Chilumba.