Relegation battles rage on
Battles against Super League drop enter the fiercest stage as some relegation delegates face off this afternoon with potentially brutal tussles between Fisd Wizards and Dedza Young Soccer while Airborne Rangers face Mzuni FC.
The match, set up at Kamuzu stadium, is a must win for Fisd who have spent the better part of the season languishing at the bottom of the table. They have 18 points from 23 matches.
Dedza have performed brightly over the past three weeks after they held champions-elect Big Bullets to a one-all draw before beating fourth placed Blue Eagles 1-0 and, last week, they drowned Standard Bank champions Civo United.
Basing his analysis from such astonishing results, Fisd technical director Peter Mponda acknowledged the threat that hovers around his side.
“We are facing a team that has been so brilliant in the past few days. However, we have improved recently and we are optimistic we will get the three points,” he said.
Fisd’s recent matches have been more of a source of both comfort and concern. They drew 2-2 with Silver Strikers before beating Kamuzu Barracks 1-0 and lost to MAFCO 3-2 last weekend.
In the meantime, Dedza have 26 points and lie on position 11, just two places above relegation zone, but the fact that they have played a game more, still leaves them in a dangerous situation.
The Saints coach Milias Jegwe Pofera predicted that their struggle for safety will continue until the end of the season.
“Every game we are playing is a must win and I believe that the relegation fight will not be over soon. The most dangerous teams are those in drop zone so we expect a relentless fight from Fisd,” he said.
At Chitowe ground, Mzuni will be hoping to replicate their menacing form in their convincing 3-0 win over Be Forward Wanderers, when they play away to 12th positioned Airborne Rangers.
Mzuni are placed just a place above the danger zone having amassed 22 points from 23 games while Airborne have 25 points having played a game more than their opponents.
In other matches on Saturday, Wanderers face Silver Strikers at Silver stadium while Blue Eagles host Red Lions. With the title already in the Bullets den, these encounters will only give the teams an opportunity to finish in the top six and earn automatic qualification into the next Standard Bank Cup.
On Sunday, second from bottom Epac face inconsistent Wanderers in what promises to be an epic battle at Civo stadium in Lilongwe. The hosts proved survival their credentials after they beat Blue Eagles 1-0 recently.
At Kamuzu stadium, Azam Tigers will host Moyale Barracks while MAFCO face Civo United at Chitowe ground. n
