Nomads give up on title

Be Forward Wanderers have given up hope of winning the TNM Super League title following their 1-2 loss to Blue Eagles on Thursday in Lilongwe.

It is now a decade since the Nomads last won the flagship league in 2006 and their coach Yasin ‘Titch’ Osman and team manager Stevie Madeira yesterday conceded that title aspirations are now beyond them.

The Nomads are sixth with 41 points from 26 matches—seven points behind leaders Blue Eagles—who have a game in hand.

Said Osman: “Mathematically, we are still in there, but realistically we do not stand a chance. We should now aim for third or fourth position.”

The Nomads mentor said had they won Thursday’s match, they could have still been in contention.

“We were the better team, we controlled the game but the referee’s decision not to award us a penalty towards the end, changed the whole complexion of the game because our players became demoralised and as a result it didn’t take long for Eagles to score.

“That said, congratulations to Eagles, they played with a lot of determination,” he said.

On his part, Madeira said: “Well, we no longer stand a chance now because we have to rely on others to do the job for us.

“We are still devastated about the result and we feel in all fairness, the referee should have awarded us a penalty when [Peter] Wadabwa was tripped in the box, even my two-year-old son could have easily made a penalty call. Anyway, he is human, we all make mistakes.”

But the club’s general secretary (GS) Mike Butao still believes in cold comfort that a miracle can happen.

“This is a major setback, but we still hope. It is sad that in the title run-in, it might not be the clubs who will decide the title, but rather the referees,” he said.

The Nomads GS also hit out at Super League of Malawi (Sulom), saying: “And Sulom are becoming increasingly toothless to both acts of violence and poor officiation. How do they begin to punish any single team or individual after letting so many crazy incidents go unpunished? It’s sad for Malawi football.”

Ironically, Silver Strikers through their general secretary Thabo Chakaka-Nyirenda have also lodged a complaint to Sulom against referee Chidziwitso Simbi who handled their mid-week game against Kamuzu Barracks which they lost 4-2.

The Bankers want Simbi banned for, among other things, awarding KB what he described as a dubious penalty.

However, National Football Referees Association GS Chris Kalichelo said the complaints over officiation are a confirmation of the stiff competition for the title race as it heads to the climax.

“Of course, mistakes will always be there but to accuse referees of incompetence is going a bit too far. What is coming out clearly here is that the league has reached a critical stage and those in contention or relegation zone, do not want to lose,” he said.

Sulom GS Williams Banda said the title “will be decided on the pitch.

“As stakeholders, we just need to work collaboratively with the ACB [Anti-Corruption Bereau] to curb the malpractice and on their part, referees just need to apply the laws appropriately.

“On the acts of violence, we condemn them in the strongest terms.” n