Sports Extra

Blantyre teams in deep slumber

Last season, the TNM Super League set high standards in terms of the quality of the game that was on offer and the overall entertainment package that was delivered at the stadiums. Sadly, though, the season was marred by acts of violence, in particular on what was supposed to be the defining moment at Balaka Stadium during the game between Mighty Wanderers and Silver Strikers.

There were scenes so ugly that a Nomads’ fan, Lemiyasi Josita, lost his life.

There were winners and losers, as happens in every competition, but for the neutrals, the enduring image will remain the quality of the contest, especially in the closing stages of the marathon.

Going into the final decisive matches, Silver Strikers, Moyale and Mafco had realistic chances of clinching the title whereas Kamuzu Barracks (KB) had an outside chance.

In the end, it was the Bankers who held on to their nerve to win the title for the third time on the trot, after beating Mighty Wanderers 2-1 in a replay to wrap it up with 53 points-just three points ahead of second-placed Moyale.

The Bankers will remember the day it all ended without the usual pomp and fanfare as they fought so gallantly to win in a campaign when they showed characteristic grit to finish on a distant seventh in the first-round and then defied all odds to retain the title.

Giants Big Bullets and Wanderers will recall a season in which they nose-dived from competitive to just ordinary sides, barely recognisable as local football powerhouses.

Incredibly, no team from the Southern Region made it into the top-five, with Nomads and Big Bullets finishing a distant sixth and eighth respectively.

In fact, no team from the South has won the league in the last three seasons and the last one was Escom United [now Kabula United], which won it in 2010.

The nearest that a team from the South, in particular Blantyre came close was in the 2012/13 season when Bullets finished as runners-up after tying on points with Silver, but were betrayed by an inferior goal difference.

So, does this signify a new dawn in football that the balance of power has shifted to the Centre?

Commentators and club officials have different views, but one common factor that is coming out clearly is that teams that are bankrolled by government institutions have an edge as the others claim financial constraints are taking their toll on them due to inadequate funding, a situation they claimed is affecting their performance on the pitch.

Incredibly, all teams that finished in the top-five last season-Silver, Moyale, Mafco, KB and Blue Eagles-are sponsored by government institutions.

Former Mighty Wanderers general secretary David Kanyenda said: “All the teams that are doing well are sponsored by government institutions while none from Blantyre enjoys government sponsorship, therefore, the playing field cannot be level”

Bullets chairperson Kondi Msungama suggested that government should either come up with ways of offering tax-waiver to companies that want to sponsor sports or should encourage its institutions such as statutory corporations to sponsor teams in Blantyre as is the case in Lilongwe.

Msungama parried suggestions that teams are struggling because they are not using their brands to full potential and run them as commercial entities.

“For a team to operate as a commercial entity, it needs substantial capital. The problem is that we make comparisons with teams from England and South Africa, but the reality is that we are worlds apart. Even teams such as Manchester United (England) and Orlando Pirates (SA) do not depend on sale of merchandise and membership alone, they also have massive sponsorship,” argued Msungama.

Renowned soccer analyst Charles Nyirenda said Blantyre teams have lost grip due to lack of funding as well as poor management.

“Sound financial backing and team management are critical in determining performance of the team because it enables good planning and acquisition of quality players,” said Nyirenda.

This weekend, the 2014/15 Super League season gets underway and while the signs are that Blantyre teams are still struggling financially, they appear set for the long journey, especially having ushered in new managements.

If the pre-season is anything to go by, then Bullets appear more ready than the Nomads as witnessed by their off-season recruitment drive and should they succeed in getting new players such as Mussa Manyenje, Pilirani Zonda, Jaffalie Chande, Victor Limbani and Tizgowere Kumwenda on board, coupled with the imminent return of Jimmy Zakazaka, then it promises to be better.

You can feel the wave of expectation and you get the impression that the fans can hardly wait for the battles to get underway.

Related Articles

Back to top button