Mponela relegated from Malawi TNM Super League
Mponela United FC from the central region district of Dowa on Saturday, December 14, 2013 completed the list of teams going down to the lower leagues after falling 2-1 against Kamuzu Barracks at Civo Stadium in Lilongwe.
Coming fast on the heels of another defeat at the hands of Blue Eagles on Thursday, December 12, 2013, the loss reduced Mponela’s maximum tally from 32 to 29, which is one point below Blantyre United’s current standing of 29 points.
Mphembedzu, as Blantyre United are fondly called were the only side Mponela would have reached had they won all their last three games.
Former Escom striker Manase Chiesa and Harvery Nkacha, formerly of Silver Strikers were responsible for Mponela’s exit from the elite league, having struck within the opening 10 minutes after some poor goal-keeping by Mponela’s second choice goalkeeper Phillimon Barnet.
Coach Benjamin Kumwenda had no choice but to replace Barnet with first choice goalie Chakonda Majanga after 22 minutes.
Two minutes into first half added time, Mponela were awarded a penalty by referee Patrick Ngoleka following dangerous play by KB goalkeeper Lehman Nthala, who landed an open boot on striker Fabio Kapinde. Mude Geoffrey reduced the arrears from the spot.
No more goals came in the second half and Mponela coach Benjamin Kumwenda declared after the whistle that most of his troops would still remain in the league.
“It’s Mponela that has been relegated but I can challenge you that most of my players will remain with other Super League clubs. Although we are relegated, we will approach our last two games seriously,” said Kumwenda.
His counterpart Charles Kamanga said his team would chase for the league championship up to the end.
“We have chances of winning the title and will fight tooth and nail up to our last game and see what happens to the other teams in the title chase.
With the win, KB now have 44 points from 26 games, five behind league leaders Mafco, who knocked Big Bullets out of the championship race with a 2-0 beating at Chitowe Stadium.
Silver Strikers maintained their second position after walloping relegated Mzuzu United 6-0 at Silver with Red Lions suffering an embarrassing 2-0 home defeat at the hands of visiting Moyale Barracks, who have also moved from 41 to 44 points.
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