Relegation battle in Malawi’s TNM Super League
As the 2016-2017 TNM Super League Soccer Season nears its conclusion, the race for relegation looks to go down to the wire with atleast four teams (Excluding MTV Max Bullets who already threw in the towel) are battling for survival.
The degree of contention near the foot of the log table comes in comparison to the title race which currently has about five teams chasing the league title.
But the question lingering in the minds of many Malawians remains which two strugglers will lose and drop into the 2nd tier alongside already self-relegated MTV Max Bullets.
It is not known which side among Wizards FC, Civo United, Dwangwa United and Karonga United will be left disappointed after these final tense days of the season.
The surprising candidates battling relegation are Civo United.
Being one of the oldest clubs in Malawi, Civo has never been in the relegation zone but after a swift decline this season, had a taste of the zone.
Despite being on position 13, one on top of the relegation zone, they can slowly head to the second tier if they lose any of their remaining six games.
But their new head Coach Charles Manda and Vice General Secretary Ronald Chiwaula insist the team will survive the chop.
The Civil Servants have played 24 games just like Wizards who are on position 12 and they have collected only 23 points and seats on position 13-a single place above the relegation zone.
Wizards FC seem to have taken the right path having managed to win their last two consecutive game beating Kamuzu Barracks 1-0 and Mzuni FC 2-1.
Karonga United is another team that came in the league with a bang but slept midway into the season.
They beacame the first team to have to defeat giants and defending champions Nyasa Big Bullets in their first round meeting in June this yea.
The rookies are on position 15 with 21 points from 25 games.
Dwangwa United are on position 14 with 23 points from 25 games. Thei form has been unpredictable. However they have throughout managed to register surprising results the latest one being a 2-2 draw against hottest title contenders Mafco FC.
The chances for survival for all remaining teams in the relegation zone and two above the relegation zones will definately rely on the outcomes of other games.
However, Karonga at all cost need to win all there remaining games and pray that either Karonga or Dwangwa loses.
The most difficult part is that the relegation candidates are remaining with difficult games of which some involve the top five teams in contention for the league title.
Still more, the attention is on Civo United who if can be relegated, this can be not only an embarrassment to themselves but a tragedy to Malawi football.
All their remaining games are tricky as they face the top eight teams.
They are to face Kamuzu Barracks, Azam Tigers, Nyasa Big Bullets and Mafco.
The 2016-17 season, will surely go down the history of Malawi football.
Meanwhile, Nyasa Big Bullets are at the summit of the log table with a better goal difference against second and third placed Blue Eagles and Mafco FC who all have 45 points respectively.
Silver Strikers and Mafco FC occupies positions four and five respectively with 43 points.
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