Top position no-man’s land

As the TNM Super League enters week 29, it is becoming cryptic on who will grab the 2016 championship as the top position is increasingly becoming a no-man’s-land.

The position has changed hands eight times within the past 15 days between Mafco, Blue Eagles, Kamuzu Barracks, Silver Strikers and Nyasa Big Bullets but none of the teams stayed on top for more than a week.

Defending champions Bullets, for the first time this season, went top last week after a miraculous 4-3 victory over Karonga United at Kamuzu Stadium.

However, their stay was short-lived as they were dislodged by KB just a week later.

KB got the better of Silver Strikers in a six-goal thriller after beating them 4-2 at Civo Stadium in a mid-week match both sides were eyeing the top spot.

But KB did not stay there for long. They were ousted by Blue Eagles in under 24 hours after the Malawi Police Service side beat Be Forward Wanderers 2-1 at Nankhaka.

KB, who have 45 points, will this afternoon hope to overthrow Eagles (48 points) again as they host Azam Tigers at Civo Stadium.

The soldiers are unbeaten at home in all competitions this season and the Kau Kau Boys have a mammoth task of ending the record.

Team manager Francis Shaba said they were confident of edging the visitors to reclaim the top position.

In case KB fail to reclaim the position, fourth-placed Mafco, who have 45 points also, can replace Eagles if they beat Red Lions at Zomba Community Centre ground this afternoon.

Mafco coach Thomas Maloya said they cannot afford any a slip-up. However, they face a rejuvenated Red Lions that has upped its game as promised by coach Pritchard Mwansa.

The Zomba-based Malawi Defence Force (MDF) side unbeaten since September 18 when they lost to KB, are on position nine with 35 points from 25 games.

But whoever comes out top today, is not assured of a long stay as Bullets and Eagles also have a chance of taking over.

DeKlerk Msakakuona is good at using home ground advantage at Nankhaka Stadium where Eagles will play host to Tigers.

A win will see Eagles stretch their tally to 51 points with four games to wrap up the season.

But Bullets have a tough assignment as they host Mafco at Kamuzu Stadium in a match that will spell out their future in the title race.

Both teams have 45 points from 25 games and the match will ultimately decide who has better chances of winning the league.

Bullets team manager Rahim Ishmael said the title race was becoming tougher with each passing game and  any slip up would cost them dearly.

The last time the two sides met, Bullets salvaged a point at Dwangwa’s Chitowe Stadium  after a 2-2 draw.

“The league is heading towards the climax and as it stands, you cannot say who are the favourites,” said Ishmael.