The new TNM Super League season is finally here, and there is every reason to believe it will be one of the best in years.
Silver Strikers have a huge task to defend the title; new managers have points to prove; and the competition anticipated.
Here are 5 big questions ahead of the starting of the 2025 Super League season.
Who will win it this season?
Silver Strikers are the defending champions of the TNM Super League, after ending their 10 years drought. The Bankers will now be aiming to tally club achievement of 2008-2009 and 2011-2013 when they successfully defended the league.
It’s easy to understand why Peter Mgangira’s side are being tipped by many to win the league again. Despite losing their head coach Peter Mponda to FCB Nyasa Big Bullets, the champions have kept the nucleus of locally top-class squad together and also made some smart additions in the transfer market.
However, there are a handful of other clubs who should at least be cautiously optimistic about their title chances.
After losing the title to Silver Strikers last season, FCB Nyasa Big Bullets will look to reclaim the title which they have won six times in the past seven seasons. New coach Mponda, has spent preseason transfer window on making his team a little more tactically variable and they will hope to use last season’s disappointment as a source of inspiration this time around.
Elsewhere, Mighty Wanderers, after going agonizingly close last season, falling short with 9 points, once again they will be looking best equipped to challenge for the title following an exciting transfer window. The Nomads will be looking to end 8 years league drought.
And who knows, maybe traditional mid of the table teams Civo Service United, Kamuzu Barracks, MAFCO, Karonga United and Moyale Barracks will all be in the mix for the top top eight finishes (or higher!) come the end of the season.
Who should fear the drop?
At the other end of the spectrum, a number of clubs will simply be praying for the survival in the top flight league.
Of the newly promoted three teams, Ekhaya FC were the busiest team in the market, roping in more than 10 players.
The Ekhaya FC and Songwe Boarder United have also roped in new coaches as they look for a way to survive while Blue Eagles have maintained Elia Kananji as their head coach.
We will see who is able to follow the footsteps of Creck Sporting who survived in their first season.
Who has done the best transfer business?
As usual it has been an exciting preseason transfer window activity for the Super League clubs.
Silver Strikers have roped in Sam Adeyemi, Felix Demakude, Festus Duwe, Emmanuel Allan and Precious Sambani after releasing Paul Kansungwi, Mark Fodya as Peter Mgangira eyes to improve the squad depth.
Despite scoring more goals (58) and concede less (17) last season, Mgangira looks unsatisfied with the numbers as he roped in players from all departments.
Mass exodus at FCB Nyasa Big Bullets defense has forced them to rope in Henry Chiwaya, Dominic Musonda, Chikumbutso Henderson, Blessings Joseph and Andrew Jovinala. They lost defenders Gomezgani Chirwa, Nickson Nyasulu, Precious Sambani, Precious Sambani and Collin Mujuru to other teams.
The People’s team have also received a boost with the return of midfielder Mike Mkwate from and Striker Hassan Kajoke from suspension who missed a better part of last season.
Attacker Peter Banda is also set to make an injury comeback to the People’s team after rejoining the club from Zambian side, Red Arrows.
Mighty Wanderers have attempted to upgrade their goalkeeping department with the arrival of Chancy Mtete from Hammers, after his impressive performance in the FDH Bank Cup. The Nomads have also signed a duo of Nanison Mbewe and Blessings Mwalilino as well as Promise Kamwendo to boost their midfield and attack.
The Lali Luban side has also done well to maintain their squad of last season.
The Club who have arguably done the best business in the league are Creck Sporting Club who made almost eight signings including goalkeeper Brighton Munthali, defender Miracle Gabeya and attackers Kondwani Chilembwe, Isaac Msiska, Hassan Hussein and Misheck Bottoman.
Other eye-catching Super League preseason transfer include Ekhaya FC who roped in the likes of Fanizo Mwansambo, Stimela Muyira, Kesten Simbi, Stanley Billiati, Ellias Missi, Christopher Gototo and Innocent Msowoya.
Who is going to be the hero among new coaches to club’s?
10 clubs will enter the new season with new coaches at the helm, and each of them will have rather different remits.
Only Mighty Tigers, Mighty Wanderers, Mzuzu City Hammers, Karonga United, Moyale Barracks and MAFCO FC have maintained their head coaches, while the lest have made changes.
After a disappointing 2024 season, Bullets fans can feel optimistic about the future under Peter Mponda. The former Flames captain knows the demands of the Club very well. Joining after helping Silver Strikers win the league for the first time in 10 years, Mponda has carried hope of all Bullets faithfuls at his back to rejuvenate the team and reclaim their lost glory.
Silver Strikers were forced to promote their assistant coach Peter Mgangira to the head coach role after the departure of Peter Mponda to FCB Nyasa Big Bullets. The former Bankers midfielder will be put under microscope by soccer lovers if he will indeed manage to maintain last season’s Silver Strikers dominance in the topflight league.
Apart from the big teams, newly promoted side, Ekhaya FC has boosted their technical panel with the acquisition of Enos Chatama who joined after impressive performance with Bullets Reserve for the past four years. Their fellow debutants Songwe Border United have also brought in new coach.
