* As Bangwe All Stars move 7 points away from red relegation zone after beating Civil Service United 1-0
* Silver Strikers goalkeeper George Chikooka secures the Golden Glove with 6 games still to play
By Duncan Mlanjira
MAFCO beat fellow military side, Kamuzu Barracks 2-1 today at Nankhaka Stadium in Lilongwe to move from 10th position to 6th of the TNM Super League 2024 for the Salima-based side to firmly earn a place in Airtel Top 8 2025.
First to score were Kamuzu Barracks through Olson Kanjira in the 21st minute and took the game to half time still leading but succumbed to a penalty which MAFCO’s Peter Kasonga converted in the 53rd.
While the game looked like it would be in a draw, MAFCO’s Bernard Chimaimba struck with three minutes to the clock in the 87th.
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The loss pushed Kamuzu Barracks to 8th, the cutting point of the Airtel Top 8 qualification — sharing points with Creck Sporting Club (7th) at 37 points and 9th-placed Karonga United.
Also in contention to earn a place in the Airtel Top 8 2025 are 10th-placed Moyale at 36 points as well as 11th-placed Dedza Dynamos (33), without a benefit of doubt as they have a game in hand over Moyale.
At the top are leaders Silver Strikers at 54 points; 2nd-placed Mighty Wanderers (50); 3rd-placed Nyasa Big Bullets (44); Mzuzu City Hammers (4th/44) and Civil Service United (5th/39).
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Meanwhile, James Msowoya’s goal earned Bangwe All Stars a 1-0 win over Civil Service United to move 7 points away from red relegation zone being occupied by Chitipa United on 14th and FOMO FC on 15th — both with 22 points.
Both Chitipa United and FOMO FC have a game in hand as they remain with four play to wrap up the season while Bangwe All Stars have three remaining — which if they win all they will amass 36 points while Chitipa United and FOMO FC will earn 34.
Already confirmed relegate Baka City played host to Mighty Tigers at Karinga Stadium that ended 2-2 through goals from Tambulani Mwale from the penalty spot in the 28th and led 2-0 in the 52nd through Edgar Phiri.
But Kelvin Nyondo scored an OG the 68th before Tigers equalised six minutes through Precious Chipungu (74′).
Safe hands, Silver’s George Chikooka
Silver Strikers goalkeeper George Chikooka has been declared by Super League of Malawi (SULOM) to have secure the TNM Super League 2024 Golden Gloves with with 6 games still to play for the Bankers.
Meanwhile, fans are being reminded that from December 1, 2024, all matches will be on 100% TNM Mpamba electronic ticketing — as announced by SULOM and sponsors TNM Plc in a joint press briefing this week.
The e-ticketing was introduced before kick off of the TNM Super League 2024 — an innovative step that aims to enhance convenience, streamline access, elevate the overall matchday experience for supporters and curb fraud around football arena.
It is to mark a significant transition from traditional paper tickets to digital access — aligning with modern technological advancements and catering to the evolving preferences of football enthusiasts.
The announcement was made at a joint press conference in Lilongwe, and in a statement both SULOM and TNM said they want the league to graduate from cash to strictly electronic entry payments at the gates.
SULOM’s marketing & commercialisation sub-committee chairperson, Chimwemwe Nyirenda is quoted as saying that after months of a hybrid system — where both cash and mobile payments were being accepted as payment options for gate entry into the TNM Super League match venues — it was now time to switch to 100% mobile payments.
“We introduced e-ticketing under a hybrid set-up to allow time for soccer fans to access the TNM Mpamba card, which is a necessity for one to be able to buy the e-tickets.
Nyirenda (left) and Sukasuka sealing the deal
Apart from entry to matches and other events, the TNM Mpamba card can also be used for ATM withdraws and payment in shops through PoS machines.
To get TNM Mpamba cards customers simply must use TNM Smart APP, under Services, select Khadi Mbambande or dial *444#, select 5, then follow menu prompts.
After application, customers get their physical cards at a TNM shop of their choice. Alternatively, customers can access instant cards at all TNM shops, TNM Super League match venues or selected agents and dealers.
“It is now time to entrench cashless innovation amongst football fans,” said Nyirenda, noting that as the league undergoes reforms, adoption of electronic payment was a big positive step towards transforming the game.
“As the world embraces the era of digitalisation, e-ticketing will be a catalyst in Malawi as we work on reforming, reviving and rebranding our football. E-ticketing enables instant transfers to teams as opposed to the current system of bank deposits.
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“It also enables the teams to track their revenue through the e-ticketing portal,” Nyirenda is quoted as saying while encouraging fans who are yet to get the TNM Mpamba card to get theirs immediately ahead of the November 30 deadline.
TNM’s Mpamba General Manager, Christopher Sukasuka is quoted as saying e-ticketing innovation brings sanity and helps teams collect revenue conveniently: “E-ticketing offers convenience for all football stakeholders in the management of cash.
“Football fans have an opportunity to purchase their tickets any time while on the other hand, league managers have total control of the match revenues,” he said.
Sukasuka added that the league sponsor was geared for the 100% e-ticketing switch initiative across all TNM Super League matches through deployment of adequate resources for the transition.
