By Duncan Mlanjira
The much anticipated Blantyre derby between the country’s age old rivals, Mighty Be Forward Wanders and Nyasa Big Bullets that was scheduled for Saturday, January 2 at Kamuzu Stadium, has been postponed because 28% of Bullets players are on COVID-19 isolation.
On Wednesday, it was reported that Bullets had requested for the postponement after nine of their players were put on isolation after testing positive to COVID-19. The players include two goalkeepers while the third is on injury.
Coronavirus alert
The request to Super League of Malawi (SULOM) fell on deaf years until a medical intervention and in consultation with both clubs, the league’s governing body has relented and postponed the match.
In a statement, SULOM said the match has been rescheduled to a later date to be communicated and that the rest of the first round fixtures have been revised.
“SULOM, wishes our colleagues from Bullets a speedy recovery ahead of their return to work, training and competition.
“Let us finish the year 2020 and enter the new year 2021 mindful of the COVID -19 preventative measures,” said the statement.
The revised fixtures are as follows:
Saturday (January 2)
* Tigers FC v Ekwendeni Hammers @ Chiwembe
* Karonga United v Civil Service FC @ Karonga Stadium
* Moyale v Blue Eagles @ Mzuzu Stadium
* Kamuzu Barracks v Ntopwa F.C. @ Civo Stadium
* MAFCO FC v Silver Strikers @ Chitowe
Sunday (January 3)
* Red Lions v Ekwendeni Hammers @ Chiwembe
* Chitipa United v Civil Service F.C @ Karonga Stadium
* TN Stars v Ntopwa F.C. @ Kasungu Stadium
* Mzuzu Warriors v Blue Eagles @ Mzuzu Stadium
First round results so far
Lilongwe-based Mafco lead the log table with 13 points — two ahead second placed Red Lions, they have not tasted defeat from their seven games played of three wins and four draws.
Red Lions have 11 points from six matches of three wins, two draws and one loss while Silver Strikers are third with 10 points from six games of three wins.
Coronavirus alert
The league’s champions Nyasa Big Bullets are 6th with eight points from five games of two wins, two draws and one loss while their rivals Wanderers are 10th with a meager six points from five games played so far — one win three draws and one loss.
At the bottom of the table are Mzuzu Warriors (14th) with four points from five games of one win, one draw and three losses and —unexpectedly — Moyale (15th) with two points from five games in which they not registered any win but two draws and three losses.
Appeal from Sandra Sharon Kamanga