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Thandizani Newspaper Yanu

The Maravipost: Other Sports

Malawi to host international half marathon

Friday, 10 September 2010 20:50

MZUZU--Malawi’s top athletes’ resilience will this Sunday be put to great test as they line up to compete against some of Africa’s finest and world-class runners in the Southern African International Half Marathon the country is hosting for the first time.

The country’s half marathon king Chancy Master and ladies section champion Lucia Chandamale along with notable athletes Mike Tebulo, Wezzwell Chabulika,Dorris Fisha, Francis Khanje, Chiyembekezo Jamali and Agnes Chikwakwa-Jamali will be up against top runners from South Africa, Ethiopia, Botswana and Mozambique.

Press reports say South Africa will be sending a contingent of 20 athletes while Ethiopia promised to send high-profile runners for the meet, which Botswana and Mozambique have vowed dominated and sweep all gold medals, according to The Nation.

Athletics Association of Malawi president Richard Nyirongo said there are no cash prizes for winners but added that “individual countries or federations can, however, reward their athletes in whatever way they want”.

Meanwhile, the Malawian athletes are in camp in preparation for the showdown and, according to Nyirongo, hopes are high that they will run their lungs out for gold come Sunday.--maravipost

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Civo fire warning shot at Silver

Friday, 10 September 2010 20:50

Touchline View w/Joe Chibewa

Mzuzu--Capital City giants Civo United FC on Sunday put up one of the their best performances in recent times to beat archrivals Silver Strikers 2-0 away at Silver Stadium thanks to a brace from in-form Frank Banda scored in each half to push the civil servants back on top of the Super League table.

The win was a timely warning shot to Silver Strikers who will this Saturday face their age-old capital rivals in the grand finale of the K60 million Presidential Cup to be played before home fans at Civo Stadium in Lilongwe.

The prolific striker steered Civo to the finals a week earlier when his lone goal cut out power-packed Escom United from the Presidential Cup race.

Civo now have amassed 18 points from nine league matches they have played so far, while Silver lie on third position with 16 points from eight games.

Escom United occupy the second slot with a point behind leaders Civo on the log table after seeing off their former reserve side Blantyre United 2-1 at Kalulu Stadium in the sweltering heat of the Lower Shire on Sunday.

The power men had to come from behind after the rookies scored first in the first half through Chikondi Mpulula. Former internationals Heston Munthali and pint-sized Noel Mkandawire scored one apiece in the second half to ensure Escom bagged full points after being held to a goalless draw by Blackpool in Balaka the previous day.

Ailing giants Bullets FC found a soothing balm on Sunday when they celebrated a deserved 3-1 win over Blackpool at Kamuzu Stadium in the commercial city of Blantyre.

Toast of the day was striker Diverson Mlozi, who netted a brace and created the third goal by Komani Msiska. Blackpool pulled one back from the penalty spot through Under-20 international Mike Kaziputa.

Bullets themselves were denied a golden opportunity to extend their lead after Douglas Chirambo’s penalty kick hit the woodwork. Nevertheless, the result was enough to ensure the people’s team a sixth slot on the league table with 15 points from 11 games so far.

MTL Wanderers had something for newly hired coach Franco Ndawa to smile about when they edged newcomers Jukebox from Mzuzu 2-1 in Balaka on Sunday through goals by Henry Kabichi and Anthony Banda. James Phiri scored the consolation goal for Jukebox.

Now out of the doldrums, the Nomads, as they are fondly called by their adoring fans, are on position 11 with a meagre 12 points.

Elsewhere, Tigers FC only managed 1 point from their outing to the northern city of Mzuzu where on Saturday they settled for a barren draw with Moyale Barracks FC and were clawed 1-0 by police side Eagle Strikers.—maravipost

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Red Lions face Bullets on 'no man’s land'

Friday, 10 September 2010 20:50

MZUZU--It will be wafawafa and someone, if you ask me, will ooze blood when Red Lions come face to face with Bullets this Saturday in a grudge re-match after the two sides’ last week’s Super League encounter ended prematurely in Zomba.

The game was abandoned after 53 minutes of play after referee Douglas Chirambo blew for a Bullets equalizer then disallowed the goal after vehement protests from the Lions who claimed the ball didn’t cross the line.

It was then Bullets turn to turn on the heat on the indecisive ref, saying it was a genuine goal and Chirambo, acting like a jelly-fish, pointed to the centre to say it was indeed a goal after all. Then hell broke loose from the soldiers and play was abandoned.

After deliberations on the issue last week, the Super League of Malawi (Sulom) decided the match be replayed at a neutral ground at Balaka Stadium.

The referee and his assistants have since been disciplined for incompetence in handling the match and causing the subsequent havoc.

One assistant referee Stanley Ntosa has since reportedly resigned citing what he termed as intimidation from football officials.--maravipost

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Leopards release Mponda

Friday, 10 September 2010 20:50

MZUZU--Free at long last! A big window of opportunity for Flames captain Peter Mponda to play for the top league in South Africa has opened and he is more than ready to jump for it after getting clearance from Black Leopards last week to go as a free agent.

The National First Division club last month put Mponda, one of the highest paid players at Leopards, and fellow Flames striker Robert Ng’ambi on transfer list, but let Mponda go as a free agent following what he called lengthy discussuions with the club officials.

After being cleared Mponda said he was relieved to finally part ways with the club he faithfully served for five years.

"I thank Leopards for all the years I was with them. It’s now time to focus on new challenges. I should be able to disclose my destiny in a few days," a local daily quoted the skipper as saying on Monday.

While Mponda’s future seems to be misty at this point, Ng’ambi is said to be getting offers from at least three clubs including Bloemfontein Celtic and Mpumalanga Black Aces, according to Leopards’ Malawi agent Kondie Msungama.

"I don’t know [any] teams interested in Mponda. But Mr. David Thidiela has told me that he is discussing with some teams that are eying Robert [Ng’ambi]," Msungama told The Nation in an interview published on Monday.

Meanwhile, enterprising Flames attacking midfielder Jimmy Zakazaka has scooped a two-year deal with South African First Division side African Warriors.

Zakazaka who was another free agent after the expiry of his contract with Bay United, was initially set to join Thanda Royal Zulu, but changed his mind at the 11^th hour when African Warriors reportedly offered him a more lucrative deal.

"I have opted for Warriors because their offer is more tempting," Zakazaka told The Nation, but didn’t disclose how much the contract was worth.--maravipost

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Malawi draws with Togo, earns vital point

Friday, 10 September 2010 20:50

BLANTYRE--Hellings Mwakasungura scored for the Flames in the 18th minute to earn Malawi a vital point despite drawing with Togo in the qualifying rounds of the Africa Nations Cup finals.

In a match played Friday in the Togolese capital Lome, the Hawks scored in the 64th minute to force a draw.

The Flames will next meet Botswana on August 11 in Blantyre to continue their chase for qualifying in the finals which will be co-staged by Gabon and Equatorial Guinea in 2012.

Malawi last qualified for the finals of the Africa Cup of Nations in Angola in 2009, after an absence of 25 years.—maravipost

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