FISD wizards relegated
Fisd Wizards adventure in the TNM Super League on Sunday came to a heartbreaking end following a 1-3 defeat at the hands of Be Forward Wanderers at Kamuzu Stadium in Blantyre.
The rookies had hoped to live another day in their quest to survive the chop, but sadly, it wasn’t to be.
They were arguably the most entertaining team in the flagship league and charmed fans with their vintage pass-and-move game which was sweet to the eye, but sadly with little purpose and in the end, they lost the plot.
Wizards became the second team to be relegated from the Super League after Airborne Rangers, a Malawi Defence Force (MDF) outfit whose fate was sealed last Friday following a 2-1 loss to Azam Tigers.
Wizards anchor the table with 21 points from 26 games and even if they win their last two games, they will finish with 27 points and can only go a place up.
The team’s technical director and owner Peter Mponda could not hide his disappointment yesterday as his voice strained with emotion.
“It is very frustrating to play good football but end up in a situation like ours where we have lost our Super League status.
“Our adventure has come to an end, but it is not the end of it all. Football will still be played and we will still keep this team together. We will be back in the Super League,” said the former Flames skipper.
Flames coach Ernest Mtawali also expressed disappointment with Wizards’ relegation.
“Had they survived, they were going to be a formidable side next season. They are a good side with a number of up-and-coming players. It is very unfortunate that they have been relegated. Hopefully they will still keep the team together,” said Mtawali.
In Sunday’s match, the Nomads took the lead through Jabulani Linje’s strike in the 20th minute, but Mike Mkwate put the rookies level in 57th minute.
The Nomads regained the lead in the 67th minute through a penalty awarded after a foul on Linje and up stepped Alfred Manyozo Jnr to convert the spot-kick.
And in added time, Muhammad Sulumba struck the third for the Lali Lubani Road outfit with a powerful header to put the game beyond Wizards’ reach.
The Nomads have moved up to fifth position from sixth with 39 points from 26 games.
In Lilongwe, Epac FC kept their slim survival hopes alive when they beat Mafco 4-3 to move a place up to 13th with 27 points from 27 games.
Mafco remain on second position with 47 points from 27 games.
Third and fourth-placed Blue Eagles and Silver Strikers played out a goalless draw. Eagles have 44 points from 26 games while the Bankers have 43 points from 27 games. n
