Relegation battle: All to fight on the last day

The third team to follow Extreme FC and Red Lions to the regional leagues is going to be decided on the final day of the season following Saturday’s results in the tnm Super League.

Blue Eagles, Mighty Tigers, Civil Service United, Mafco FC, Ekwendeni Hammers and Moyale Barracks are at risk of facing the relegation chop but only one team will be relegated.

Bangwe All Stars 2-2 Civil Service United

Civil Service United will have to fight for their stay in the super league until the last day after a 2-all stalemate against Bangwe All Stars at the Mpira Stadium.

The Servants came from behind twice to salvage a point in Blantyre as Chikumbutso Salima’s double was not enough for Stars to get all the points.

The hosts who are already safe from relegation opened the scores early in the first half after escaping from Civil’s early scare as Chikaiko Batison’s effort was easily tamed by Raham Julius.

Lovemore Mbeta fired wide before Kondwani Chilembwe and Emmanuel Saviel tested Lumbani Chitete. But after all the attempts, Salima beat Chitete with a dummy. Robert Saizi split Civil’s defence before setting up his compatriot, Chiku who beat the goal-keeper before placing the ball into an empty net.

Saviel nearly grabbed the second after pouncing on Sunganani Geoffrey’s inviting ball. On the other end, the pendulum swung as Chikaiko Batison’s strike was ruled out for offside and Talandira Chigaula was also quick to block Katinji from hitting the back of the net.

Despite conceding in the 6th minute, the Servants continued to press for an equaliser and Chifundo Ngapemba’s effort was swatted by Rahaman. On the second attempt, Julius couldn’t deny him.

Civil Service United launched an attack and they won a free-kick in the opposition’s half. The former Sable Farming attacker scored a beauty from the resulting free-kick in the 25th minute.

The visitors continued to dog for the second as Mbeta, Ngapemba and Patrick Phiri all had tested the Goalkeeper in quick succession. Ngapemba had his left-footed effort plucked by Julius before Salima stole the show just before the break in an extraordinary manner.

The attacker received the ball on the left flank and he cut inside, beating four players before releasing a hammer drill that Chitete failed to deal with.

Civil Service United were 2-1 winners in the first round before Bangwe All Stars stunned the Servants in the FDH Bank Cup.

Civil returned from the recess with their guns blazing and Moses Banda, Binwell Katinji were all denied by the goal-keeper. Yamikani Mologen rescued the visitors when he cleared the ball off the line after Ngapemba hit a longing shot. Patrick Phiri was denied by Julius, but he set Katinji for an equaliser.

The draw leaves Civil Service United with the task to fight for their survival until the last game when they face Mighty Mukuru Wanderers at Civo Stadium. They have 34 points from 29 games on number 11. Moyale Barracks who are 13th on the table have 32 points.

The draw has seen the rookies book their slot in the next season’s Airtel Top 8 Cup.

Bangwe are 6th on the log table with 39 points from 29 games but even a defeat in their last game of the season will not affect their slot in the said competition.

Moyale Barracks 1-1 Mafco FC

Moyale Barracks will have to beat Red Lions in their last game of the season, praying for either Civil Service United or Ekwendeni Hammers to lose their games for them to survive in the league.

The Lions of Kaning’ina let a one-goal lead slipping off their hands as the Salima based Soldiers, Mafco FC came from behind to snatch a point at the Mzuzu Stadium.

After playing their previous few games at Rumphi Stadium after the Football Association of Malawi’s decision to ban Mzuzu Stadium, Moyale Barracks were out for full points in a game that Chingoka described as the “direction giving” in his pre-match interviews.

After a frantic start to the game, Moyale Barracks stole the lead through Raphael Phiri who reacted to Gastin Sinkonda’s saved shot in the 27th minute.

After double changes by Prichard Mwansa in the second half as he pulled off Wakisa Kalinga and David Daudi Subbed for Innocent Makawano and Peter Kasonga escalated Mafco’s attacking prowess.

Kasonga needed less than 10 minutes to draw the game back to level terms with a thumptous free-kick, beating Macdonald Harawa who was manning the posts.

Despite a late pressure from Moyale Barracks, spoils were shared.

Moyale Barracks are slumped to the bottom three with 32 points from 29 games, while Mafco FC are 12th with 34 points from 29 games. They [Mafco] will have to beat Blue Eagles in their last game for them to survive in the elite league.