TNM SUPER LEAGUE
TNM SUPER LEAGUE MID-SEASON REVIEW
The Tnm Super League has hit the half way mark with a break to cooperate cup engagements. Defending Champions Big Bullets will be smiling all the way to the bank to collect a k1 million token as first round leaders. Second placed Tigers fc who are probably the season’s most improved side are 6 points adrift and big spending Mighty Be forward Wanderers are third level on points with the KauKau boys but with an inferior goal difference.
But anyone tempted to condemn the second half of the season to a predictable procession near the top may just have to hold their back. As witnessed in the first round, and in the past seasons, the second round always proves the toughest as teams at the top fight for the championship and the bottom 6 also strive to avoid relegation. With teams beefing up their squads during the mid-season transfer window, expect electrifying and close competition in the second round.
Lawilink looks at how the 15 teams have fared in the first round and how they can improve their sides in order to perform better in the second round.
The teams have been arranged in alphabetical order with points and position on the log table in brackets
AIRBORNE RANGERS (13 Points. 12th)
SEASON SO FAR: At home good, away bad. A team that can play with real verve at times but too often its displays lack identity. Coach Kondwani Gawani must know that the loosing streak away from home needs to be arrested- it is high-risk should the home form fail.
HOW TO IMPROVE THE TEAM’S FORTUNES IN THE SECOND ROUND
There are no great expectations that the team will finish in the top half of the Tnm Super league, so the best solution is to utilise the home ground and collect as many points as possible. This will prove vital when push comes to shove- the flying soldiers will be safe from the relegation scramble. A 30 point mark is a land mark to ensure safety in the top flight and enjoy another season dorning the beautiful Puma jerseys courtsey of Tnm- the sponsors of the league.
AZAM TIGERS ( 26 points 2ND)
SEASON SO FAR: Impressive- the season’s surprise package. After loosing 5 first team regulars many predicted a tough season for the KauKau boys. But their unrivalled recruitment policy- buy raw talent, develop them into superstars and sell to a bigger team- coupled with the good management of the Gerald Phiri and Robin Alufandika led technical team the team has surprised many by finishing the first round on second position- albeit on goal difference.
HOW TO IMPROVE THE TEAM’S FORTUNES:
Simple- Keep the stars that have helped the team achieve the feets of the 1st round and recruit 2/3 additional players for squad depth. The team has been acting as a feeder club to the league’s big boys ( Bullets, Be Forward Wanderers and Silver strikers) and co, but if they can hold on to the likes of Yamikani Chester, Bright Munthali, Peter Kasonga, and Clifford Kankhuni from possible suitors in the mid- season transfer window, then the team can only hope for the best in the second round. The side must also improve on a poor record against army teams, who have proven a nuisance to the team, no wonder the nickname “Ana Akumpanda”, they are too soft to stand toe to toe against the soldiers physical game.
BIG BULLETS ( 32 points. 1st)
SEASON SO FAR: Outstanding. Finishing the first round without tasting defeat and beating their tally of 29 points at the same stage last season. The team id showing the mark of champions by winning games or getting draws even without playing well(winning games ugly). They have turned the Kamuzu stadium a bad hunting ground for visiting teams as the best result they can achieve when playing the defending champions at the giant soccer arena is a draw. The acquisition of Chiukepo Msowoya, is proving a masterplan as his 8 goals have helped the team to be the highest scoring team in the first round.
HOW TO IMPROVE THE TEAM’S FORTUNES:
Not alot. Improve the defence which let’s in cheap goals. Maybe the defenders feel at ease when they conceede those cheap goals knowing that their strike force will bail them out by outscoring the opponents (sic). But this trend of conceeding cheaply can hurt their title defence. They should keep looking in the rear view mirror at Azam Tigers, Be forward Wanderers and the rest of the chasing pack who will surely come guns blazing in the second round.
BLUE EAGLES (23 Points. 4th)
SEASON SO FAR: Mixed bag. Summed up in the losses to Airborne Rangers and Mzuni fc when they had gone most of the first round without loosing. The Nankhaka outfit started the season as genuine title contenders with an opening day humbling of Fisd Wizards( formerly Surestream) at the Kamuzu Stadium. Their form and title hopes have faltered as the first round progressed.
HOW TO IMPROVE THE TEAM’S FORTUNES
Shore up a defence that conceedes cheap goals in crucial matches that has also led to draws in some games. Find a replacement for the Jomo Cosmos bound Micium Mhone as well as add another striker to compete with the inconsistent John jr Malidadi.
CIVO UTD ( 16 Points. 10th).
SEASON SO FAR: Upward curve. It took Civo 4/6 games to score their first goal and 8 games to record their first win, and they did get that win against their L-city rivals Silver strikers. Ever since that game the team has racked up impressive wins which were the missing ingredient from their wonderful play.
HOW TO IMPROVE THE TEAM’S FORTUNES
Like Azam Tigers, make sure they do not lose their best players in the mid-season transfer window. They should keep hold of Tnm player of the month of June, Nelson Kangunje, who opened the team’s goal account this season and has been one of their star performers in their upturn in form. They also have John Lanjesi, who was subject of a long transfer wrangle at the beginning of the season, and that made him miss the first 6 games of the season. Since his return, he has formed a solid defensive patnership with Emmanuel Zoya, ensuring the team conceede the least number of goals together with Kamuzu Barracks. The Civil servants must add firepower upfront and also get a winger.
DEDZA YOUNG SOCCER (15 Points. 11th)
SEASON SO FAR: Struggle. Aside from the light provided by the team’s use of youthful players and their enterprising attacking football, darkness still hovers the side as they have conceeded the highest number of goals in the first round. The team can score but also leaves the back door open, letting opponents to score- You are assured of seeing goals if you are watching Dedza Young Soccer. Opponents have been capitalising on the teams porous defence and inflicted heavy defeats on the youthful Dedza outfit.
HOW TO IMPROVE THE TEAM’S FORTUNES.
The team’s coaching panel must find the right balance between their attacking and defensive play. Scoring goals is not a problem for the side but defending, so they must work on a formula that balances the two. Reinforce the defence with two or three experienced players Dedza Young soccer is a side capable of avoiding the chop.
EPAC fc (11 Points. 14th)
SEASON SO FAR: Turmoil. From the sacking of Leo Mpulula to the hiring of Abbas Makawa, there has been instability around the “Njenjete zamu Lilongwe side,”and this has been reflected in results. The team has racked up a surprising win over Silver strikers at the bankers backyard but it has also endured humiliating results like the 4-1 and 4-0 losses to Big Bullets and Azam Tigers respectively. The new coach, Abbas Makawa, has bemoaned a lack of quality and dedicated players in the side. The team’ s executives must act fast or else EPAC look likely relagation candidates.
HOW TO IMPROVE THE TEAM’S FORTUNES.
Abbas Makawa looks like the man who can steer the team out of the relagation zone. He performed well during his previous stint with the side and he has vehemently talked of a squad overhaul in order to arrest the team’s struggles. A squad overhaul is a must but it won’t be easy as that will require alot of money and also the challange of competing with the big teams for players on the market. If they can manage to get the right players, anything can happen in the second round and the team can avoid relagation.
FISD WIZARDS (9 Points. 15th)
SEASON SO FAR: Poor. The team has dissapointed many who had placed their bets on the team to perform wonders as it did in the regional league. The side has dominated games without winning them. The youthful side lacks the cutting edge and their beautiful passing football has failed to produce the end product- goals.
HOW TO IMPROVE THE TEAM’S FORTUNES.
The jury is out, the young stars have failed to live up to expectations and the spine of the team( centre-back,central midfield and a striker-a good finisher) requires beefing up with experienced heads. If the Peter Mponda led technical panel manages to sign experienced players now that the team is no longer an academy then we can brace ourselves for a Leceister city- esque relagation escape because the team has the potential to achieve that.
KAMUZU BARRACKS (22 Points. 5th)
SEASON SO FAR: Very steady and finishing 5th in the first round is a good foundation for a side aiming for a top 4 position at the end of the season. Kamuzu Barracks is one of the toughest teams to beat- some say it is the Stoke city of Malawi. An unpredictable side as you cannot expect which KB to expect especially when they are playing at home.
HOW TO IMPROVE THE TEAM’S FORTUNES.
Keep Harvey Nkacha fit and firing in the second round. The tall midfielder is a prized asset for the team, and has been dodged by injuries in recent seasons. Without him KB lack urgency in their attacks without him. If they can add another striker to support Manase Chiyesa and Harvey Mkacha, expect an even tougher Kamuzu Barracks in the second round.
MAFCO (22 Points. 6th)
SEASON SO FAR: Mixed but it is the same old story. The team always starts every season on fire but they tend to falter as games start coming quick and fast. Another tough side to beat, the Salima bases soldiers have been inconsistent but they have the arsenal to mount a second round top4 finish.
HOW TO IMPROVE THE TEAM’S FORTUNES
Not much- work on consistency then you will see another tough side ready to wreck havoc on its opponents.
MIGHTY BE FORWARD WANDERERS. (26Points. 3rd)
SEASON SO FAR: Up and Down. The team lacks consistency and the mettle to get points while not playing well. They started the season in superb fashion after signing exciting players thanks to Be Forward’s sponsorship package. The technical team has been experimenting and are yet to find a stable first eleven and this has affected the team’s cohesion and consistency especially upfront and in defence where they keep chopping and changing.
HOW TO IMPROVE THE TEAM’S FORTUNES
Not much- they have the players since they signed a group of talented players who only need time to gel and the coaches must also find a starting 11 so to ensure consistency. They must replace the departing strikers, Jimmy Zakazaka and Muhammad Sulumba. With rumours that they are going to sign Ishmael Thindwa, Victor Nyirenda and Alfred Manyozo jr, the second round looks promising for the Lali Lubani outfit. “Nyerere”, the diehard supporters of Mighty Be Forward Wanderers will be hoping for improved performances in the second round. With pressure on the side following the lucrative sponsorship from Be Forward which helped them purchase many local players, the team must deliver the goods in the second round.
MOYALE BARRACKS (19Points. 9th)
SEASON SO FAR: Bitterly dissappointing. After finishing as runners up for the past 2 seasons, and almost pipping Big Bullets to the title last season this season’s performance have been below par. The spark and goal threat has gone, albeit due to Gastin Simkonda’s absence( due to army commitments) plus Deus Nkutu’s late return from injury which he sustained in last season’s title decider against Bullets. There performances have been good at home while not so convincing on the travels.
HOW TO IMPROVE THE TEAM’S FORTUNES. Same old story, the peacekeeping mission engagements tend to affect army teams by robbing them of their prized assets. The absence of Gastin Simkonda has seriously affected a side that were serious title contenders reducing them to a mid-table side fighting for a top 4 finish. Plus the absence of Nkutu, who was also there attacking focal point has also not helped matters. The signing(tra nsfer from Cobbe Barracks) of Luke Muyaba has failed to fill the gap of the dimunitive strikers. If the Kaning’ina outfit are to have any chance of getting into the top 4, surely they must sign 3/4 quality players and add another striker to help Muyaba and Nkutu who has just returned from his head injury.
MZUNI FC (11 Points. 13th)
SEASON SO FAR: Up and Down. A mixed bag summed up in an encouraging draw against Bullets, and a win over Blue Eagles plus dissapointing losses to Civo, Kamuzu Barracks abd MAFCO.
HOW TO IMPROVE THE TEAM’S FORTUNES.
Beef up a lean squad inorder to increase survival hopes. The team has shown flashes of brilliance through players like, Omega Mhone, Niikiza Ayimabo and James Olashibe. If they can keep these players and add some experienced heads to their defence and striking force, then the students possess all the nitty gritty required to stand the heat in the top flight.
RED LIONS(21 Points. 7th)
SEASON SO FAR: Very steady but lack discipline. After 8 of it’d players received bans for harrasing officiating meb at the Kamuzu Stadium when they were playing Fisd Wizards(then Surestresm),many predicted tough times for the side but they have improved tremendously and fully deserve that top 8 finish at the half way stage of the season. They are a tough team to beat at their backyard just look at their home draws against Bullets and Be forward Wanderers.
HOW TO IMPROVE THE TEAM’S FORTUNES
The team has surpassed expectation after being forced to regroup midway through the first round after the 6months bans to its 8 players. And like most teams in the top half of the table, they must add 2/3 squad players for squad depth. Another striker, midfielder and defender will help improve the side which has already been lifted by the players who have seized their chance following the banning of their teammates. They must keep league top scorer Innocent Bokosi fit and firing in the second round, surely the Zomba based soldiers can surprise many with a second round tilt at the title as they have 8 home games.
SILVER STRIKERS (21Points. 8th)
SEASON SO FAR: Dissapointing. From 3 times defending champions to a mid-table finish last season( albeit a Sulom points deduction) and a lucklustre start to the current season gives plenty of headache to the Bankers diehard supporters. The departures of Chawanangwa Kaonga, Frank Banda, Young Chimodzi jr and goalkeeper Charles Swini robbed the team of its spine and they have not replaced it. A team that striked fear into its opponents due to the plethora of stars it possessed, what has remained now is the skeleton of that thrilling team. With a sound financial backing of RBM, expect a rejuvinated Silver strikers in the second round after they are mooted again to be busy on the mid season transfer window.
HOW TO IMPROVE THE BANKERS’ FORTUNES IN THE SECOND ROUND.
They must bring in a proven goalkeeper- one in the mould of Swini, a centre back is also a must to provide competition to Lucky Malata whose performances of late have left alot to be desired. A left winger to compete with Ndaziona Chatsalira another player resting on his laurels. They must also bring in a good defensive midfielder to fill the Chimodzi jr shaped hole- which Timothy Chitedze has failed to make his own. The side has alot of quality players but they are resting on their laurels and and if they manage to sign the names that they have been linked with on the transfer market expect competition in the squad which will result in improved performances in the second round. Expect a changed Silver Strikers come the second round. The second round will be plenty of fierce competition as the top 6 teams will be fighting for the championship and those in the bottom 6 will also be striving to maintain their status in the top flight.
By Tana Mwalwimba
