Gabadinho excites TNM

Booming new stars, swelling patronage and passion emerged as the positives from the 2012/13 TNM Super League’s first round which wound up over the weekend.

“Everywhere you go, there is now talk about the Super League. There is new talent coming through such as Gabadinho Mhango. We are heading in the right direction. There is increased passion,” TNM sponsorship manager Wilma Chalulu summed up the first round on Monday.

She said TNM were encouraged by the return of other sponsors. This season has witnessed the return of Carlsberg Cup, Bullets and Wanderers are also under Carlsberg sponsorship.

But elements of violence, officiation inconsistencies and uncertainty over fixtures are still a thorn in the flesh for the Super League of Malawi (Sulom), according to analysts.

At the end of the first round, Silver topped the 15-member league with 31 points. In contrast, Moyale Barracks led last season’s half-way standings on 25 points, a figure which this season’s fourth-placed Big Bullets have amassed. Mighty Wanderers, lying third, have wound up the round on 26 points whereas second-placed Red Lions are on 28 points.

Last season, Bullets finished 12th whereas Wanderers were eighth on 16 and 19 points respectively. Many attribute the increased patronage to Bullets’ return to form to challenge fellow giants Wanderers and Silver.

The gap between the number one team and the bottom was 14 points last season and now it is 21. This could reflect more of the strugglers’ dismal form, according to football analyst Sunduzwayo Madise.

“If teams are winning by big margins, it could mean the league is not competitive. As the league progresses, the usual pretenders are emerging. I am particularly worried for Escom. But there is progress. Five years ago, the league was a sorry sight. On average, most clubs are being run with some elements of professionalism,” said Madise.

Last season, a team was able to win by a six-goal margin, but this season’s margin is four. The Lions have finished the first round with the least losses, two, while table anchors Kabwafu FC, 14th positioned Bvumbwe Research, 11th placed Mafco FC suffered most losses, eight each.

Madise also cited the return from South Africa of experienced players, fewer exports and less poaching on the domestic scene as leading to the improved standards.

Sulom general secretary Williams Banda admitted on Monday that his office could have, in collaboration with FAM, done better on harmonising the fixtures.

“On violence, there was one major case compared to last season’s four cases. We also failed to produce fixtures’ booklet as there was no confirmation of the dates. There is also need for improvement on coaches and referees,” Banda explained.