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SINGAYAZI KAMINJOLO
Super League rookies Epac FC dominated the 2011/12 TNM Super League season awards on Wednesday.
Epac produced the season’s top goalscorer in Ishmael Thindwa, who banged in 18 goals. This was his first season in the league.
Epac general secretary Roy Mdechi said the recognition was deserved and will spur his side to do well.
“It was not a surprise as we did a lot of hard work and deserve these awards. I can promise you more improvement in the next campaign,” he said.
The accolades, announced during a function organised to award the 2011/12 achievers, was acknowledged by the majority of the guests at Sunbird Capital on Wednesday night.
However, some guests protested when the master of ceremonies, Sulom treasurer Tiya Somba-Banda announced that Red Lions had the most disciplined supporters.
Silver Strikers apart from being the champions, also received the Most Successful Club Award. Silver have won the TNM league title three times, Escom twice and Wanderers once.
In other awards, Gastin Simkonda of Moyale was Player of the Season, Wanderers’ Foster Namwela was Best Defender, John Banda Best Midfielder whereas Charles Swini was goalkeeper of the season. Silver’s Asedi Ayami is the Most Improved Player.
Dick Chirwa of Cobbe Barracks was voted Oldest Player of the Season, at 42 whereas Alex Masanjala was honoured for being the oldest coach in the league whereas Big Bullets won the Best Management Team Award.
There were also media awards. Blantyre Newspapers Limited (BNL) Joy Ndovie scooped the first prize in print media followed by Nation Publications Limited’s (NPL) news analyst Peter Kanjere. Mphatso Malidadi (BNL) and Garry Chirwa (NPL) shared the third slot.
NPL group sports editor Michael Mmeya and BNL sports editors Duncan Mlanjira (Malawi News) and Pilirani Kachinziri (The Daily Times) were also recognised for their columns ‘Sports Snippets’ (Weekend Nation), ‘Sports Trends’ (The Daily Times) and ‘Sports Perspective’ (Malawi News) respectively.
In electronic media, Zodiak’s Mike Bango was top, followed by MBC’s Frank Kandu. Peter Fote (MBC) and Williams Gondwa (MIJ FM) shared the third position.
Bottomani said the awards are meant to encourage all stakeholders to produce the best in their area and make the league more competitive.
