Malawi TNM Super League tittle battle: Can it be Mafco, Nyasa or Silver
Everyone thought last season was a guess game but after over 20 games played so far in the second round of the Tnm Super League 2016-17 season, only a single point and two separates the top five teams.
This can probably be the best year of harvest for a military side to make history by winning the first ever league title as two teams Mafco FC currently on position one and Kamuzu Barracks on fifth remain the hottest contenders representing the Malawi Defence Force (MDF).
With seven games to go, Mafco FC Striker Richard Mbulu who has been scoring goals for fun and hope to surpus his 18 goals target set at the beginning of the season, is the one carrying his teams’ hopes currently at the summit of the 16 member log table with 44 points.
Second placed Silver Strikers who have 43 points and their last league game on 30th October 2016 was a one all draw against defending champions Nyasa Big Bullets at home have also vowed to fight until the last drop despite playing three consecutive games without a goal and a win only to manage draws.
“Draws are becoming too bad for us because we are dropping points which is dangerous and unacceptable at this stage of the competition. It seems we are struggling to score goals and we just need to sharpen up our striking force” said Silver coach Lovemore Fazili.
On the other hand, Nyasa Big Bullets Team Manager Rahim Ishmael who also registered three consecutive draws in their last assignments believes they are lacking something.
“We have been complaining that we are unable to create enough scoring opportunities due to lack of creativity especially on the midfield but we are coming up as you saw in our league game against Silver, we were creative enough but wasteful upfront” explained Ishmael.
But Ishmael is optimistic his side has the potential to defend the league title.
“The Cup is at our home and we will fight until the last drop; we can’t give it away so easily because we struggled alot to win it the past two seasons and it takes alot to win a league title” said Ishmael.
He added: “As Nyasa Big Bullets we believe at one point we will run away with the title, the teams in contention will fall asleep and at that moment we will be awake and run away with the title”.
Blue Eagles FC, who dominated the top spot for the better part of the TNM Super League first round, seem to be gaining ground to hold on to the top spot.
They were questionable as they had to wait for more than four games to register their first win in the second round and had to score 50 marks out of 100 in their Northern Region tour during the week 26 of the league.
They managed to beat Moyale Barracks 1-0and lost 2-1 to relegation candidates Karonga United 24 hours later.
But both the Team Manager Gabriel Chirwa and Head Coach Deklerk Msakakuona maintain the battle for the title is a non-starter.
As everyone is talking about the five current top teams, there are also other teams who can pull a surprise.
Giants Mighty Be Foward Wanderers have regained their form following a poor showing recently due to internal squables and are now on position six with 38 points just six behind Mafco.
At the middle of the park are the much improved Mzuni FC (despite dropping five points in week 26 following a 1-1 draw against Civo and a 2-1 loss to Epac), Moyale, Epac and Azam Tigers.
Mzuni are on seventh with 35 points with 24 games played while Moyale are on eighth with 33 points but have advantage since they have two games in hand comparing to the leaders Mafco.
They have played only 21 games and coach Collins Nkuna after their loss to Blue Eagles blamed Sulom for frequently keeping them on break a development he said affected their coordination.
Epac are on nineth with 33 points from 24 games.
There is a huge and intense relagation battle at the bottom of the log table.
Civo are at unusual 14th position, Karonga United on 15th while MTV Max Bullets seats at the bottom with eight points.
Karonga, Civo and 13th placed Premierbet Wizard who just moved out of the relegation zone after edging Kamuzu Baracks 1-0 all have 21 points only separated by goal difference.
Red Lions and Dwangwa United occupies positions 12 and 13 with 29 and 22 points respectively.
More changes are expected as the Super League returns this weekend after a one week break paving way for Fisd Cup.
At this stage of the competition where issues of match fixing takes centre stage, Super League of Malawi (Sulom) has warned players, clubs and referees to desist from the malpractice or face stiff punishment.
So far, 186 games have been played with 431 goals been scored.
Mafco FC hitman Richard Mbulu tops the leading scorers chart with 17 goals.
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