Focus shifts to relegation battle in Super League
With the battle for the TNM Super League honours over and done with, the focus now shifts to the bottom five teams trying to punch beyond their weight in a desperate attempt to haul themselves out of the mire.
Fisd Wizards, who anchor the log table with 18 points from 22 games, this afternoon face an uphill task against second-placed Mafco at Chitowe ground in Dwangwa.
Mponda: Situation
tight for us
The rookies have had an impressive run in their last three games—collecting seven out of a possible nine
points—in their quest to get out of the murky waters of relegation, but their technical director Peter Mponda admits that it will be a tall order against a side that is stubborn when playing at home.
Mafco, who have 40 points from 23 matches, are also eyeing a runners-up slot after Big Bullets sealed the title last Wednesday.
“It’s a tight situation for us because at the stage we have reached, we cannot afford to be dropping points. Unfortunately, we are up against a side that also has more to fight for and we are playing them at
their backyard.
“The odds are stacked against us and any result apart from a loss will be a bonus, but we will still fight for all the three points that are on offer,” said Mponda.
Wizards will also be without their inspirational skipper Levison Maganizo who is with the national team in Ethiopia for the Cecafa Senior Challenge Cup, but Mponda was quick to assert that they bank more on team work than on individual brilliance.
On his part, Mafco coach Thomas Maloya said their target is to win all their remaining games so as to finish in the top-three finish.
“It is a tricky game because we will be up against a team that is fighting relegation, so we have to exercise caution, but then we are playing at home and the players know the importance of this match and we cannot afford any slip up,” said Maloya.
In Zasha Nong’oneza, Hassan Chapola, Emmanuel Chipeta, Callisto Kalinda and Paul Phiri, Mafco are plastered by talent, but they could be matched pound-for-pound by the likes of Ernest Tambe, Isaac Mwale, Patrick Phiri and Precious Msosa.
Their first round meeting ended one-all.
Tomorrow, Dedza Young Soccer, who are just a place above the relegation zone, host Civo United at Dedza Stadium whereas Airborne Rangers, who are third from the bottom, date fellow soldiers Kamuzu Barracks at Civo Stadium in Lilongwe.
Dedza have 23 points from 23 matches while Airborne have 22 points from 23 matches. n
