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Regional title races hot up

The chase for the second-tier regional league championship titles are set to reach boiling point this weekend with nerve-shredding battles that could define the three teams to be promoted into the Super League.

In the Southern Region Football Association (SRFA) Premier League, leaders FC Surestream travel to Zomba this afternoon for a potentially tough match against Prison United. Tomorrow, they will face Ndirande Icons at Kamuzu Stadium in Blantyre.

Previous encounter involving Surestream
Previous encounter involving Surestream

Surestream have 92 points, four ahead of second-placed Cobbe who date BNC Produsak this afternoon at Kamuzu Stadium and Poly at Prison ground in Zomba tomorrow.

Both Surestream and Cobbe go into this weekend’s games with six games to finish the season.

Surestream technical director Peter Mponda, whose side suffered its first second-round defeat at the hands of Mangochi Police last weekend, said they are aware that any slip this weekend could prove fatal.

“We have picked ourselves up after last weekend’s loss and our focus is on the weekend games which are very crucial considering that they could determine our destiny,” said Mponda.

In the Chipiku Central Region Football Association (CRFA) league, it will be top-of-the-table clashtomorrow when leaders Dedza Young Soccer travel to Mvera in Dowa for a no-holds-barred clash against second-placed Support Battalion.

With five games to go each, Dedza top the table with 77 points, five ahead of Support Battalion.

“It is a very crucial game for us, but we are determined to get a result on Sunday. It is a match that could determine our fate, but we are geared,” said Dedza’s director Blessings Shawa.

In the Simama Northern Region Football Association (NRFA) league, leaders Chilumba Barracks take on Obama United at Mbowe ground this afternoon.

The Army side leads the pack with 78 points from 30 games, two points ahead of second-placed Kabwafu who host Chirumba United. However, Chirumba Barracks have a game in hand.

Meanwhile, a high-level CRFA delegation is set to travel to Mvera to ensure fair play during the match between Support Battalion and Dedza Young Soccer.

The fixture is crucial in that it is touted to decide who between the two teams gets promoted to the Super League.

CRFA chairperson Austin Ajawa, who since his election a couple of months ago, has been visiting teams prior to matches to preach peace, said it is important that the game be played in a peaceful atmosphere to ensure that only the deserving team wins.

“We want fair play and peaceful environment at matches. It is important that the two teams and the officiating personnel be responsible enough to ensure fair play,” said Ajawa.

The same call has been made by Dedza Young Soccer Stars coach Milius Pofera.

“It is a very big game and our prayer is that there is fair and unbiased officiation. It has been a tendency that our officiating teams tend to favour home teams. We just hope that this will not be the case on Saturday,” said Pofera.

Support Battalion have vowed to cut the gap to two points.

“Definitely, we are winning. We are asking our supporters to come in their large numbers to cheer their team,” said Support coach Manto Lampu in an interview.

 

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