After four weeks of exciting 2023 TNM Super League action, the race is now getting hotter each week. The 16 teams are involved in a fierce battle for points where some have taken an aim to the top while others are mired into deep troubles at the bottom. One thing though that is already guaranteed at this point and time is that the competitiveness among teams this season is higher than first imagined.
On paper, all teams are equal but the powerplay so far displayed is putting each team on its place based on levels of preparedness, technical abilities, mental stamina and character.
For three weeks Mighty Mukuru Wanderers FC [3] were early table toppers. The Lali Lubani outfit dictated events in the league where they-with the aid of top goal scorer Christopher Kumwembe-threatened to run away with it.
However, by matchweek 4 two more sides in FCB Nyasa Big Bullets [1] and Silver Strikers FC [2] have increased their intensity in chasing the Nomads. The former, who are defending champions continued to pursue their arch rivals with relentless zeal taking over the league leadership after a 3-1 convincing win over Moyale Barracks FC[9]. As if that was not enough, the Bankers-despite falling to an early strike from Ekwendeni Hammers FC [15] away in Mzuzu-redeemed themselves beating the northern region side with a 1-3 margin to reach ten points. The points tally among the top three teams is ten points with Bullets taking number one spot on goal difference while Silver Strikers moved up to second, pushing Wanderers into distant third.
It is tight at the top in the sense that it is not only the points that tally but perusing the league standings one would not fail to notice the seemingly closer statistics. All the three teams at the top have won three matches drawing one each. Bullets and Silver have each scored 9 goals conceding two and three goals respectively, while the Nomads have banged 8 goals while letting in two.
The week past will not only be remembered by the change of guard at the top but crucial encounters that dominated the headlines. Silver Strikers away victory at Ekwendeni was a headliner on Sunday. The bankers had sunk to an early goal but managed to resurrect and win the match convincingly, essentially lifting themselves up to second on the standings. Despite the Bankers gaffer Pieter De Jong making all news for bad reasons but on the pitch his charges proved that they have what it takes to sustain a long battle for championship.
Another match that highlighted Matchweek 4 was Bangwe All Stars[4] shock victory at the dreaded Karonga Stadium. Now Karonga United Football Club [6] are not a side to be beaten easily albeit at home. However, the boys from Blantyre 9 defied all odds to inflict an imaginable 1-2 defeat on the Ingwinas. By implication, this win for the rookies took them all the way to fourth on the log table. Bangwe All Stars-thus far-remains the most consistently performing new entrant into the league. Despite recording only their first win of the campaign, the lads are yet to test defeat. Their compatriots in Chitipa United FC [11] and Extreme FC [16] have already recorded one and three losses respectively.
But we cannot leave without highlighting on the match that changed the complexion of the log table this week which pitted Mighty Tigers and their namesake Mighty Mukuru Wanderers at Mpira Stadium. A pulsating encounter with end to end action that seemed to go in the favour of the Lali Lubani boys nearly turned on its head when the two sides settled for a 1-1 draw.
On the same day, Red Lions woke up anchoring the log table only to pull a shocker by beating lackluster Dedza Dynamos Salima Sugar FC [12] at the sun-bathed Balaka Stadium. The 2-1 win to the Zomba based soldiers catapulted them to position 14. Although not safe yet with 4 points the Lions are looking strong to run away from the relegation zone.
Another match that saw movement in the standings took Kamuzu Barracks FC[10] from position 14 to 10 after the soldiers defeat on newly promoted Extreme Football Club. This was KB’s first win having drawn once with two losses. To the Mchinji based side, the loss condemned them to the very bottom of the league. The team must push themselves up as their beautiful brand of football is not producing the desired results thus far. As we approach Matchweek 5, lots of changes are expected in the league.
