By Edwin Mbewe
LILONGWE -(MaraviPost)-The Central Region Football Association (CRFA) MK16.5 million Chipiku Premier division league first round is expected to end this coming weekend with nine fixtures.
The body has expressed satisfaction with the progress of the 2023 league.
The Association chairperson Austin Biton Ajawa says the professionalism from all stakeholders including referees, and participating teams has been key for this year’s league progress.
Ajawa said the association is witnessing tough competition amongst the teams for elite league promotion.
“We are very happy with the way the league is progressing. Yes, we encountered minor challenges along the way but we managed to solve them.
“Teams have competed well and kudos to our referees as we did not have any issues of violence erupting due to poor officiation”, said Ajawa.
He has however warned teams that are failing to fulfil away fixtures that the assets will act accordingly.
During the Annual General Meeting held early this year it was resolved that teams that fail to fulfil three games will be eliminated from the league.
“Teams that are failing to fulfill away fixtures must watch out as the rules and regulations will work on them.
“We are heading to a crucial stage where we will produce a champion hence we don’t expect any team to fail to honor fixtures “, Ajawa added.
After this weekend’s games, four top teams from the three groups will team up to make 12 teams which will play on a round-robin and the winner will be promoted into the TNM Super League.
Kawinga FC leads Group C with 31 points from 13 games having won 10, drew 1, and lost 2. They have scored 30 goals conceding 8.
On Sunday, Kawinga defeated Simbi FC 2-0 away in Mchinji and are concluding the round with an away fixture to Ngolowindo FC in Salima on Sunday.
In the group Villa FC, Airborne Rangers FC, Ngolowindo FC, and Wimbe United FC have chances to qualify for the final round if they can avoid defeats and win in their final games.
Chief Executive Officer of Kawinga FC Joe Mwase, attributed the superb good run of form for the team to the unlimited support that the patron Apostle Clifford Kawinga is dishing out.
Mwase said the whole team and players are motivated and playing their lungs out to produce positive results.
“We have learnt a lot during this first round and as we go into the final round Kawinga will engage an extra gear so that we accomplish our goal which is getting the Superleague promotion.
“The owner of the team is providing any kind of support to the team hence we are upbeat to achieve it. We will continue approaching each team with caution and we will warn our players against complacency,” he said.
Silver Strikers Reserve FC are in the driving seat of group B with 29 points from 13 games, they won 9 games drew 2, and lost 2. They are seconded by the league newcomers Mangoni Warriors FC with 23 points.
LUANAR FC is 3rd with points and a game to wrap up the round.
Kamuzu Barracks RSV FC have chances to finish in second position if they win their two remaining games against Silver Strikers Reserve FC at home and Santhe ADMARC FC away, currently, they have 18 points from 12 games.
The Support Battalion Combat is on the summit of group A with 30 points after completing their 14 games, they won 9 games, drew 3, and lost 2.
In Group A, Mbabvi United FC, Namitete Zitha, and Leyman Panthers FC have already qualified for the final round as results in Dwangwa United FC and Play Football Malawi game will not have any impact on the log table.
Mbabvi United FC is second with 27 points, Namitete Zitha FC is third with 22 points while the area 49-based side Leyman Panthers FC has finished 4th with 21 points.
