The Maravi Post

ANALYSIS

As the TNM Super League enters its 14th week this weekend, records show that 90 games have been played so far with goalkeepers picking 237 balls from behind the net.

Vincent Chinthenga of Bvumbwe is currently the top goal scorer. Chinthenga and Tony Chitsulo of Silver Strikers are currently the only players to have hit hat tricks, while Stain Malata and Bright Phiri, both of Epac FC, have been the unlucky ones to score past their own goalkeeper.

Leaders Silver Strikers have scored the most goals (29) and have won in all seven games played at home. Big Bullets have as well used home ground advantage in all four games.

Second placed Red Lions, who have maintained their unbeaten record so far, are the only team with a perfect away record having won all five away games.

Only a point separate the leaders and their runners-up, but Silver, who have amassed 28 points so far, have played 13 games while the Lions have played two games less and stand a better chance to overtake the leaders should they maintain invincibility and winning streak.

Surprisingly, last season’s runners up Escom United are this season whipping boys and are yet to win at home and are languishing at the bottom of the log table with only 8 points from 11 games. Little wonder they have swallowed their pride and want their players Chimango Kayira and Heston Munthali back in the squad after their three-month loan at Big Bullets FC expires at the of this month.

Incidentally, the two players were responsible for Escom’s fifth loss in the Super League game at Balaka on Sunday when they scored a goal apiece in the Bullets 2-1 win over the defending champions who are hot contenders for relegation this season at the rate they are going.

It remains to be seen if Escom will be able convince and woo back the players they unceremoniously booted out of the team at the beginning of the season. And the players seem to be enjoying a rich vein of form at Bullets where no doubt they are being given VIP treatment.

Moyale recorded their first away win to mend an otherwise bad away record. Nomads, rookies Bvumbwe Research and Kabwafu FC are still searching for first away wins, while Blue Eagles and Bvumbwe have conceded the most goals at 21 each.
Sixteen red cards have been flashed in the top league so far. Boniface Kaulesi was awarded the player of the month award for the month of July when they were hosted by Civo United on Saturday.

The top scorers chart is as follows: Vincent Chinthenga of Bvumbwe 10 goals; Boniface Kaulesi of Red Lions 8 goals; Diverson Chilemba of Mighty Wanderers 7 goals; Rodrick Gonani of Silver Strikers 6 goals; Mussah Manyenje of Epac FC, Tony Chitsulo of Silver Strikers, Oswald Mkagula of Mafco F.C and Welani Nyirenda of Civo United 5 goals each; Ndaona Daisi of Silver Strikers, Innocent Bokosi , Charles Ngosi both Blue Eagles, Dalitso Sailesi, Muhammad Sulumba both Blantyre United, Heston Munthali of Big Bullets and Zasher Mnong’oneza of Mafco 4 goals each.

Blessings Tembo, Asedi Ayami both Silver Strikers, Diverson Mlozi of Big Bullets, Joseph Kamwendo of Mighty Wanderers, Emmanuel Banda of Red Lions, Micium Mhone of Blue Eagles, Manasseh Chiyesa of Escom United, Moses Nankumba of Azam Tigers, Lazarus Chirwa of Civo United and Ishmael Thindwa of EPAC FC have scored three goals each.
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©2012 The Maravi Post. Reproduction authorised, with usual acknowledgment.