2-Horse race

It will be two-horse races in top four positions as the Super League of Malawi (Sulom) goes to the polls today in Mangochi to usher in a new executive committee.

All the razzmatazz is about to come to an end as the 16 teams’ representatives head to the lakeshore district to elect new office bearers to run the flagship league for the next four years.

The focus will be on the hot seat of president which has two contestants, the incumbent Tiya Somba-Banda and   Fleetwood Haiya.

Unlike last year when Somba-Banda and general secretary Williams Banda had the luxury of being elected unopposed, this time around, they will have no such comfort.

In separate interviews, both presidential candidates were an oasis of calm and appeared free and easy, declaring that they will come out triumphant.

Somba-Banda said it was not only his wish to seek re-election, but also the clubs after noting his achievements.

He said: “The Super League clubs asked me to lead their interests. It is the will of the clubs that will carry the day and this makes me very confident of my prospects of retaining the presidential seat.”

The former Escom United treasurer also said getting six nominations less than his challenger does not trouble him.

On his part, Haiya, who is Nyasa Big Bullets vice-president, said amassing 10 nominations against the incumbent’s four, was in itself, a vote of confidence from the clubs.

Said the Nyasa Big Bullets vice-president: “I have the assurance from the clubs that they will usher me into office on Saturday [today].

“The clubs would like to see positive changes in the way the top-flight league is run after noting my achievements through the transformation of Bullets into a vibrant commercial and professional entity.

“To run the Super League as a professional entity, you need a strong president who is determined to get things done and that is me.”

Ironically, among others, in their blueprints both candidates have promised to increase clubs’ subventions, set up a fully-fledged secretariat and increase the teams’ revenue bases.

On their part, the clubs have said they will vote for candidates based on the quality and feasibility of their manifestos and expect some improvements in the running of the game next season.

The clubs said they expect structural and administrative reforms that are void of controversies.

Said Salima Sugar Dedza Dynamos general secretary (GS) Mabvuto Mugode: “We hope the new executive committee will improve on fixture congestion. For example, a team cannot play three games in five days.

“And if they are to cancel fixtures, communication should be done in good time not a day before the match to avoid unnecessary expenses. In fact, they should learn to refund us in such situations because it is not our fault.”

Bullets chief administration officer Albert Chigoga and Mighty Tigers FC GS Akuzike Kafwamba said they expect a professionally run Sulom secretariat to spearhead the commercialisation of the clubs, inclusiveness, prudence in financial management guided by transparency and accountability.

Civil Service United GS Ronald Chiwaula hinged selection.

Nevertheless, Marinica still has enough arsenal in goalkeepers Brightone Munthali and Charles Thom, defenders Stanley Sanudi, Lawrence Chaziya, Paul Ndhlovu, Miracle Gabeya and Mark Fodya, midfielders Patrick Mwaungulu, Idana, Petro, Micium Mhone and Zebron Kalima and strikers Chiukepo Msowoya, Gaddie Chirwa, Stein Dave and Christopher Kumwembe.

But the coach also expressed woryy with the level of fitness for most of his charges.

Meanwhile, Lesotho’s head coach Jelusic Vaseline says his team is prepared for the match.

He was quoted by Lesotho Tribune as having said: “The team is organised and I am hopeful that we will get a positive result.”

Vaseline said the friendly match aims to fine-tune his team in preparation for the upcoming Afcon qualifiers.

One of Likuena’s players Basia Makepe was quoted as having said they have improved in ball possession and attack, which were their weakest links.

“Our performance has been excellent of late and we hope to do well even though we’ll be playing away.”

Lesotho are ranked 147th on Fifa world rankings, 23 places behind the Flames. The last time the two teams met was during last year’s Cosafa Cup in Durban, South Africa where Lesotho won 2-1 and in this afternoon’s match, the Flames will be out to revenge.

Egypt will host the Flames between March 22 and 24 while the return leg will be played between March 26 and 28 at Bingu National Stadium.

All the teams in Group B have three points from two games each, but Ethiopia top the four-team group courtesy of a better goal difference while the Flames are second.

Malawi won their opening qualifier 2-1 against Ethiopia’s Walyas in June last year before going down 1-0 to Guinea’s Syli Nationale away three days later.