TNM title battle intensifies
With few games remaining, the TNM Super League campaign is shaping up to a thrilling end as seven teams fight for honours today and tomorrow.
Super League of Malawi (Sulom) president Innocent Bottomani has described the 2013-14 season as the most exciting ever.
“In the past three seasons, it was straight forward that it will be either Silver Strikers or Escom United. Weeks before the end, you could predict either of the two teams taking it. But this time it is seven teams. It means competition has been stiff,” said Bottomani on Thursday.
League leaders Mafco FC, who have 45 points, face Big Bullets at Chitowe in Dwangwa this afternoon.
What will make this match interesting and tough for both teams is that while Mafco are gunning for their first league title ever, Bullets will want to finish in the top four to have automatic qualification for Standard Bank Knockout Trophy next season.
“Now that the league seems beyond us, it is important that we finish in the top four,” said Bullets coach Gerald Phiri.
Reigning champions Silver Strikers, who are second with 44 points, take on Mzuzu United in Area 47.
Following Blue Eagles victory over Mponela United on Thursday, Silver Strikers will be under pressure to deliver. The two teams tie on 44 points.
Despite that Mzuzu United are relegated, Silver coach Stain Chirwa is treating the game as a cup final.
“We cannot afford to underrate Mzuzu United. They have nothing to lose and that makes them a difficult side. We are putting all our might in the game and we have to win convincingly,” said Chirwa.
In another tough fixture today, Red Lions line up against fellow soldiers Moyale Barracks in Zomba. Both teams are tied on 41 points signifying that the encounter will be real war as there is so much at stake.
Wanderers, who were playing Civo as we went to press yesterday, will tomorrow face unpredictable Epac FC.
The Nomads coach Stuart Mbolembole said each of their remaining games is crucial and they are going to Lilongwe to win.
“We must make sure we do not drop points. Each game is very important, the players are aware of that,” he said.
For Epac, it will not be about the title, but qualification for the next Standard Bank Knockout trophy.
Coach Abbas Makawa knows the importance of the game: “Our results in recent games have been bad. We dropped points needlessly. We have to recover and the game against Wanderers affords us the opportunity to rectify our mistakes. I am confident, we will win on Sunday,”
