Coaches for the three TNM Super League title contenders FCB Nyasa Big Bullets, Mighty Wanderers and Silver Strikers have admitted that the race is now too close to call where any slip-up could prove fatal.
But in separate interviews yesterday, Bullets gaffer Peter ‘Mjojo’ Mponda, his Nomads and Bankers’ counterparts, Bob Mpinganjira and Peter ‘Shoes’ Mgangira, respectively, said be that as it may, they are not under pressure and will take each game as it comes.
They also admitted that as it stands, none is a favourite.
Leaders and record 17-time champions, Bullets, are tied on 56 points with their second-placed arch-rivals, Wanderers with five games apiece left while the Reserve Bank of Malawi-sponsored outfit is third with 50 points, but with a game in hand.
Bullets and Wanderers’ losses to Creck Sporting Club and Mzuzu City Hammers, respectively, have reignited the Bankers’ hopes of defending the title.
In an interview, Mponda said: “I don’t think there is pressure per se. But we’ll have to go all out to remain in contention because as it is, all the top three teams have more or less equal chances of winning the league.
“We know we haven’t been at our best, but we have been hanging on and that makes us believe that we can win this thing.”
He also said the Nomads’ slip-up against Hammers gave them some relief, especially coming after Bullets’ 2-0 loss to Creck Sporting.
“It gives everyone the belief that we should keep fighting,” said Mponda.
On his part, Mpinganjira also said the title chase is now wide open for the top three.
He said: “It has reached a very crucial stage. But we are not under any pressure because we do not want to be affected by what is happening or is being said elsewhere.
“Of course, we lost for the first time mid-week, but it’s not the end of the world and we do not want that to create unnecessary pressure on us.
“We will remain focused and take each game as it comes knowing that if we do well in our remaining five matches, we can achieve our goal. We will work hard in the remaining five games and see what happens.”
On the other hand, Mgangira said their title hopes have been revived following slips by fellow contenders.
He said: “As it stands, the race appears very tight and any of the three teams can win it.
“But we are not looking at how other teams are doing. We are taking a game at a time and we will try as much as we can to do well in our remaining matches,” he said.
Seasoned football analyst Charles Nyirenda said: “The next two games will give us a hint on who is the front-runner.
“Silver are driving things from the rear and hoping for slip-ups while Bullets and Wanderers are quite nervous at the moment following respective shocking outcomes of matches they played within the past week.
“So, at this point in time, we can’t tell with certainty who has a clear path because the remaining games are quite tricky for each team.”
Meanwhile, Bullets have a chance to go three points clear at the summit if they can beat Karonga United at the latter’s fortress Karonga Stadium this afternoon, but the Bullets mentor said they expect a tough game.
“Karonga have been consistent this season, they have worked so hard to be up there, we have played them twice and they have been tight games,” he said.
“As usual, we also expect a hostile atmosphere, but we need to get full points. It’s a different ball game.”
When the two teams met in the first round, Ingwina ya Karonga showed great character, trailing 3-1 to force a draw late into the match.
They also met in the semi-final of the Airtel Top 8 and Bullets won 2-1 at Bingu National Stadium in Lilongwe.
