Ntopwa relegated

Ntopwa FC yesterday became the second team to be relegated from the TNM Super League following their 1-0 loss to Mighty Tigers at Kamuzu Stadium in Blantyre.

They have followed Mzuzu Warriors who were relegated last week after suffering a 7-0 defeat by Silver Strikers FC.

Ntopwa are now second from bottom with 21 points from and regardless of whether they  win their remaining two games, they will still be among the bottom three teams.

Tigers scored in the 61st minute through Emmanuel Nyirenda’s long range shot from a rebound after Ntopwa defenders failed to clear their lines.

However, Ntopwa owner and technical director Isaac Jomo Osman yesterday said they will wait for the Super League of Malawi’s (Sulom) Annual General Meeting (AGM) to decide whether they will have play-offs or not

“I cannot say we have been relegated. There is still a glimmer of hope as we will wait for Sulom’s AGM to decide play-offs possibilities,” he said.

Osman said yesterday they put up a gallant fight and it was just unfortunate that they lost the match.

“We had a lot of scoring opportunities but we failed to convert them. However, I am proud of my boys for giving Tigers a good run,” he said.

Tigers coach Trevor Kajawa said they are relieved to have moved out of relegation as they have taken 12th place with 31 points with two games to play.

“Ntopwa gave us a tough time on the pitch and it is a big relief to have secured the victory and moved out of the relegation zone,” he said.

In another game yesterday, Red Lions and Blue Eagles settled for a goalless draw at Mpira Stadium in Blantyre.

The result means Eagles have dropped deep into the relegation battle as they are 13th of the 16-team log table with 29 points from 28 games, three points ahead of 14th placed Chitipa United while Lions, who are tied with Kamuzu Barracks with 35 points and have a superior goal aggregate, have moved up to 10th. The two teams  have played 27 games each.

At Mzuzu Stadium, TN Stars drew goalless against hosts Mzuzu Warriors to move to sixth place with 39 points from 26 matches.

Defending champions Nyasa Big Bullets lead the pack on 55 points from 26 games followed by Silver on 52 points from the same number of games.