ThumbsUp League starts with 9 fixtures
This weekend football fans will be spoilt for choice as the ThumbsUp Southern Region Football Association (SRFA) League Premier Division kicks off.
SRFA vice-general secretary Kingsley Simbeye yesterday said tomorrow’s action is between Ntaja United and Red Lions in Machinga as well as MDF Marine and Nyambadwe United at Monkey Bay Community ground in Mangochi District.
On Sunday, Nyambadwe Centre manager Maureen Gwembere said they are obliged to support the competition because they have a good relation with with MDF.
She said: “We find this to be important because we are going to contribute towards strengthening discipline in our men in uniform since drill, also known as parade, is said to be very instrumental to their fitness that.” n
United will face Mangochi All Stars at Mangochi Stadium while Ntaja Rangers will host Lipulumundu Stars at the same venue.
In other matches, Balaka FC play Changalume Barracks, Cobbe Barracks face Ndirande Stars at Cobbe Barracks ground and SuperFet entertain Mwanza Stars while White Eagles will be up against Zomba Airbase at Police Training School in Limbe.
The first week winds up on Monday when Zingwangwa United taking on Immigration FC at Kamuzu Stadium in Blantyre.
Simbeye said they have lined-up more matches in the first week to avoid fixture congestion later in the season.
“We are fully utilising the availability of venues, which becomes a challenge towards the end of the season,” he said.
Rab Processors Group of Companies communication manager Andrew Lulker, whose company bankrolls the league to the tune of K21 million, said they expect competitive season.
The 24 teams have been divided into two groups. They will play in a round-robin with the top four teams from each group qualifying for top-eight battle that will determine the champion
