BLANTYRE-(MaraviPost)-Bangwe All Stars head coach and club owner, Isaac Jomo Osman, has admitted that the chances of his team returning to Malawi’s top flight league are becoming slimmer but says he is determined to keep the squad intact and reinforce it for next season.
Osman made the remarks on Saturday afternoon after his side failed to collect maximum points in a National Division League derby against Ndirande Stars at Mpira stadium in Blantyre.
The match ended in a goalless draw despite both teams creating several promising opportunities.
Speaking after the final whistle, Osman said many of the players in his squad joined from Ntopwa FC, which has made it difficult for them to quickly blend and fully understand each other’s style of play.
He, however, expressed gratitude for securing at least a single point from the derby.
He explained that Ndirande Stars are currently one of the strongest sides in the division and earning a point against them was a blessing.
Osman added that his focus now is to strengthen the team so they can compete effectively in the next campaign.
The Bangwe All Stars mentor emphasized the need to add more young and energetic players who can bring depth and quality to the squad.
He noted that without proper reinforcements, it will be difficult for the team to challenge for promotion next season.
Meanwhile, Ndirande Stars assistant coach, Robert Daudi, expressed disappointment that his side could not find the back of the net despite creating clear scoring opportunities.
He said the absence of key players played a big role in the result.
Daudi pointed out that players like Justice Zulu, Mayamiko Makasu and Junior were sidelined due to illness, which weakened their attacking power.
He believes the team could have scored if these players were available for selection.
Despite the draw, Daudi praised his squad for showing great fighting spirit and maintaining strong defensive discipline throughout the game.
He said the team will work on improving its finishing in the matches ahead.
The match was tightly contested with both teams displaying determination and tactical awareness.
However the lack of clinical finishing cost both sides the opportunity to collect maximum points.
Bangwe All Stars remain in position six on the log table with 25 points from 18 games played while Ndirande Stars sit in position five with 26 points from the same number of matches.
