Mlatho, Masters get the chop
It’s over. Masters Security FC and Mlatho Mponela on Monday kissed the TNM Super League goodbye when their fate was sealed.
The two teams’ romance in the top-flight league was brought to an agonising end following Mzuni FC’s 2-0 victory over Masters at Mzuzu Stadium.
They now have to face the harsh reality that even if they win their remaining games, they will still finish in the bottom three of the 16-team league.
Statistics do not lie and Masters, popularly known as Migwanya, anchor the table with 20 points and remain with two fixtures which even if they win both, they will not get out of the relegation zone as they cannot surpass Mzuni who have 29 points and are a step above relegation.
Similarly, the furthest that Mlatho—who are second from the bottom with 23 points—can get is also third from the bottom as they remain with a single game to wind up the league.
However, Dwangwa United, who are third from the bottom with 26 points, can escape relegation as they have three games to go.
But Masters patron and chairperson Alfred Gangata put on a brave face yesterday, saying even if they get relegated, they have “enough money to buy franchise for another Super League team”.
He said: “Of course, we face relegation following today’s loss to Mzuni. But that should not be an issue. Anything can happen. We might remain in the league because we have the resources to buy franchise of another team.”
For now, however, the ambitious Lilongwe-based side, which scaled lofty heights by winning the now defunct Carlsberg Cup last season and taking part in two successive CAF Confederation Cup competition, has to do with the prospect of playing in the Chipiku Stores Central Region Football League.
On the other hand, Mlatho team manager Blessings Makanjira conceded that following their 1-2 loss to Civil Sporting Club on Saturday, their survival hopes hang by a thread.
“Realistically, the game against Civil Sporting determined our fate, otherwise we were only counting on mathematical chances.
“Anyway, it is part of the game, we have to accept the reality and move on. It has been quite a learning experience for us,” he said.
Both Masters and Mlatho are from the Central Region. Mlatho have been in the top-flight league for three seasons while Mlatho were promoted at the start of the current season.
Meanwhile, striker Collen Nkhulambe was the toast of the day for Mzuni yesterday after scoring both goals. He netted the first in the 16th minute and was on target again after 38 minutes
Mzuni coach Gilbert Chirwa said they will continue to work hard so that they can beat Civil Sporting Club and survive the chop.
In another Super League match, Silver Strikers completed their fixtures in style with a 3-0 win over Chitipa United at Silver Stadium in Lilongwe courtesy of leading scorer Khuda Muyaba’s hat-trick to take his tally to 21.
Following the win, the Central Bankers have reclaimed the third place with 53 points, but can be overtaken by Blue Eagles who have 50 points and a game in hand. Rookies Ntopwa FC beat Karonga United 3-1.
Ntopwa are 11th with 32 points from 29 games while Karonga are 10th with 34 points from 28 matches.
