Flames players battling relegation in S. Africa

It is becoming a norm that after every South Africa Premier Soccer League (PSL) season, Malawian players find themselves in teams destined for relegation.

Three teams, which are home to five Malawian players, are staring relegation in the face with some nine games to wind up the season.

Jomo Cosmos (Russell Mwafulirwa), Black Leopards (Harry Nyirenda and Dave Banda) and Santos (Peter Mponda and Tawonga Chimodzi) are at the bottom on 13, 17 and 19 points respectively after Wednesday games.

Mponda featured in his second competitive game this year, but he was unfortunate that his side lost 2-1 to Golden Arrows on Wednesday night.

Siyabonga Nkosi opened the scoring for Arrows before Neo Segalo equalised. Thamsanqa Gabuza got the winner five minutes from time.

Injured Nyirenda was understandably unavailable, but Banda’s absence in the Leopards first XI was worrying as the Limpopo side eased their relegation woes with a 1-0 win against Maritzburg United on the same night.

Lying 11th on 23 points from 21 games, Platinum Stars for Robert Ng’ambi and Chiukepo Msowoya are not safe either from the drop having drawn 0-0 with Atusaye Nyondo’s SuperSport United.

Ng’ambi played a full game. Nyondo featured in the opening 63 minutes for sixth-placed SuperSport whereas Msowoya was introduced later.

None of the title-chasing Mamelodi Sundowns, Orlando Pirates, Moroka Swallows and Free State Stars have a Malawian in their ranks.