By Edwin Mbewe
LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-The battle for supremacy in the MK24 million MPICO Gateway Mall Central region netball league intensifies as the league nears to conclude on November 11, 2023.
Blue Eagles netball club who have been defending the championship since its inception have also shown ambition of retaining the league title as they currently lead the ladder with 58 points from 29 games played.
However, the lady cops from Area 30 are facing a stiffer challenge from rivals Civonets and Young Eagles clubs who are closely following them on the log.
For Blue Eagles to win the Mpico league they must avoid defeat in the hands of MAFCO Soldiers and Civonets.
In their second-round match on November 11, Blue Eagles must anticipate a big challenge from Civonets whom they defeated in the first round at the Gateway Mall court in the game which was characterized by a physical kind of approach.
Nevertheless, the Blue Eagles are motivated after winning the championship of the MK40 million Salima Sugar national netball league last Friday after defeating the Young Eagles in the final at Don Bosco in Lilongwe.
Hopefully, head coach Tepheteya Madano will be looking forward to finishing the year with two major silverware.
Eagles remain with Civonets, MAFCO, and Great Queens while second-placed Young Eagles who have 54 points from 30 games have KCH Sisters and Lioness games before wrapping up the season whereas Civonets who are occupying position three with 50 points remain with Blue Eagles, Vanessa Queens, and Airborne Rangers soldiers.
MAFCO soldiers have 46 points sitting on position 4 after 28 games.
Vice General Secretary of the Central Region Netball Committee Daniel Chigowo said they have witnessed huge competition amongst the teams, especially in the second round of the league.
“We have witnessed huge competition and luckily enough people have seen the fruits of the MPICO league through the Blue Eagles netball club who have won the Salima Sugar national league at Don Bosco including their sister club Young Eagles who were runners up. That’s completely pure results of what the league has been doing as a committee we are very excited”,
“As we go to the final games, there is still huge competition, and no team is yet assured of winning the championship hence it will be decided on the final day if Blue Eagles and Young Eagles lose some of their remaining games. MAFCO soldiers have chances to win the league as well.
“The fixtures secretary is working 24/7 to make sure that the league is concluded smoothly and we have also assigned umpires with zealous professionalism to make sure there is hype and drama”, says Nyirenda.
Some of the games outlined in the final week 20 are as follows;
Saturday 4th November 2023 Gateway Mall Court:
1. Great Queens vs Blue Eagles 0830am
2. MAFCO vs Dyna Queens 0940am
3. Vanessa vs Civonets 1100am
4. Great Queens vs MAFCO Soldiers 1210hours.
5. Dyna Queens vs Great Queens 1400hours
6. Blue Eagles vs MAFCO
Whereas on 4th November 2023 Area 30 court will host the following games:
1. Young Eagles Vs KCH Sisters 08:30am
2. Boma Vs Airborne 09:50am
3. Mponela Vs KCH Sisters 11:10am
4. KIA Sisters vs Sharpshooters 12:30hours
5. Support Battalion vs Airborne Rangers 13:40hours
6. KCH Sisters vs Airborne Rangers 14:00hours.
Sunday 5th November Gateway Mall Court
1. Sharpshooters Vs Airborne Rangers 10;00am
2. Lioness Vs KIA Sisters 11:20am
3. Airborne vs Civonets 12:40hours
4. KCH Sisters Vs Airborne Rangers 14:00hours.
Final day fixtures on Saturday 11 November 2023 will have the following games;
1. Boma vs MAFCO 09:00am
2. Airborne vs Immigration 10:20am
3. Young Eagles Vs Lioness 12:00hours
4. Civonets vs Blue Eagles 15:00hours.
