It will be a nervy finish to the season for three relegation battlers Fomo FC, Bangwe All Stars and Chitipa United whose fate will be determined this afternoon when the curtains to the 2024 domestic top-flight edition will be pulled down.
With Karonga-based rookies Baka City FC already relegated, two more teams among the three will follow.
Mulanje-based Fomo, who were promoted to the flagship league at the start of the season, are a step above the relegation zone on 13th with 28 points and they host Karonga United in their last fixture at Mulanje Park Stadium.
A draw could be an option depending on the results of fellow relegation-threatened teams, but a win will guarantee their survival.
The Elvis Kafoteka-coached side boosted their survival hopes with a shock 1-0 win over champions Silver Strikers in a mid-week fixture. It was a hugely significant victory as it also ended the Bankers’ 28-match unbeaten run.
In an interview, Kafoteka said they are determined to stay put in the Super League.
He said: “I have told my boys to go out there and play a game of their lives and win so that we are not bothered by results from other games.
“We are at home and that should give us an advantage as we expect Mulanje residents to come and give their boys the morale they desperately need.”
Bangwe All Stars, who are second from the bottom with 27 points, host Creck Sporting Club at Balaka Stadium.
The Bangwe Township-based side’s coach Trevor Kajawa said they will fight for a win and then see what happens in the end.
He said: “It’s not entirely in our hands because even if we win, our fate will be determined by results in other matches involving Fomo and Chitipa.
“But we have not given up hope. We will fight for a win and then see how it will end.”
Chitipa, who are second from the bottom with 26 points, are in a tight spot compared to the other two as they must win their remaining match against Baka City and hope that both Fomo and Bangwe will either lose or draw their matches.
Chitipa’s coach Christopher Nyambose insisted in an interview on Thursday that they still stand a good chance for survival.
“We have a tricky match against a team that has nothing to lose [Baka] as their fate is already known, but we will do everything possible to win and hope that both Fomo and Bangwe will falter and in football it happens. We remain optimistic,” he said.
On the other side of the table, dethroned champions FCB Nyasa Bullets, who are third with 52 points, have a very slim chance of dislodging their rivals Mighty Mukuru Wanderers from second position.
The Nomads have 55 points and a better 16-goal difference over Bullets going into their last match against Moyale Barracks at Mzuzu Stadium.
Bullets host Kamuzu Barracks at Kamuzu Stadium in Blantyre.
Football analyst Kevin Moyo said realistically, Bullets don’t stand a chance of dislodging the Nomads.
“We are looking at Bullets winning their last game by a deluge of goals and Wanderers also losing by a wide margin. Technically, it can happen. But realistically, it is a tall order. A 16-goal difference is a bit too much,” he said.
Silver, who sealed the title with two games to go, will be hoping to be crowned in style when they host PremierBet Dedza Dynamos.
The Reserve Bank of Malawi-sponsored side has 64 points, nine adrift of second-placed Wanderers.
Their coach Peter ‘Mjojo’ Mponda said: “I hope we can wrap up in style with a win. That’s what we are looking forward to.”
