Spectators who braved hot temperatures to watch TNM Super League matches this week enjoyed a full dose of action packed top flight football entertainment as evidenced by improvement of attendance to matches especially in the southern region.
Clubs in the 16 team top tier league, though have a huge task to create value and put down vigorous marketing initiatives in order to boost attendance and match day revenue.
Match week 2 of the 2023 TNM Super League continued with goals galore where early league leaders Mighty Mukuru Wanderers FC took no chance away in Balaka where they walloped Red Lions FC by three unanswered goals.
Nomads’ new acquisition Christopher Kumwembe registered the season’s first hat-trick taking his team to six points having ticked two wins out of two.
On Saturday where the Lali Lubani boys were the biggest winners, Lilongwe giants Silver Strikers FC raided police headquarters where they managed to nick three invaluable points out of the stubborn cops Blue Eagles.
Chimwemwe Idana’s second minute strike was enough to catapult the Bankers to four points in their only second match of the season. Two red cards to Eagles captain Schumacher Kuwali and Bankers towering defender Nickson Mwase threatened to dent what otherwise would be a pulsating encounter.
Both Silver Strikers and Nomads were efficient enough to snatch points away from home. This feat has not been achieved by many teams in the league thus far.
Come Sunday, defending champions FCB Nyasa Big Bullets used home advantage to exact revenge on MAFCO Football CLUB, a team that dented the Peoples Team record in the 2022 season at Dedza Stadium.
A brace each for Lanjesi Nkhoma and bustling left back Alick Lungu-at the fully packed Soccer Mecca-sealed the three points taking Bullets to second place on goal difference.
Nevertheless, while it was plain sailing for the giants, it was not all rosy on the lower side of the table. It ended in goalless draws between Ekwendeni Hammers FC and Moyale Football CLUB, with Bangwe All Stars and Mighty Tigers F.C replicating the same result.
Ironically, while Tigers and the Hammers have been firing blanks, both sides are yet to concede a goal in the current campaign.
A total of 19 goals were scored in Match week 2 of the league, where four matches ended in draws while four wins were registered. As of end the second week, ten out of 16 teams were yet to register victories.
So far MAFCO FC is the highest conceding side with five goals followed by Chitipa United FC and Red Lions having been breached four times each. The Crocodiles of Karonga United Football Club, Civil Service United Football Club-Civo and Kamuzu Barracks FC have conceded thrice in two matches.
As we move to Match week 3, another episode of battles are lined up for football enthusiasts.
