Kawinga Football Club host St. Gabriel Zitha FC in a rearranged Chipiku Premier Division League fixture that will have big ramifications on the title race when the two rivals and title contenders clash at the Nankhaka Stadium in Lilongwe.
Kawinga FC have a three-point lead over Martin Mthetho Nkamanga’s men ahead of this last match of the 2023 season.
Harry Saidi’s side got themselves on top of standings with a total 50 points in 21 matches in this round of 12 teams.
But what CRFA, teams and analyst said about the encounter?
Antonio Manda on CRFA adherence to FAM
The game which was supposed to be played on 14th January 2024, but due to match fixing allegations which is under Football Association of Malawi and CRFA investigation, the game will now take place this Sunday on 28th January.
There had been disagreements as CRFA disputed an order from FAM that the game should take place on 28th before the rulling of the case.
But after further discussion, CRFA has agreed with FAM’s order to host the match on Sunday at Nankhaka Stadium in Lilongwe.
CRFA General Secretary Antonio Manda said the decision has been made to show respect to FAM as the mother body.
“We can proudly confirm that indeed the game between Kawinga FC and Namitete Zitha is on tomorrow, this follows the FAM directive that the game between these two teams must be played at all cost so we are an organization that is so obedient, we follow rules and regulations, and then we respect our mother body which is Football Association and we can not defy their orders, we are bringing the game at Nankhaka Stadium tomorrow from 2:30 in the afternoon”.
On security, Manda said: “We are very much prepared you can agree with me that this game will be played at Area 30, at the headquarters of Malawi police and we have asked them to give us maximum security to makesure that there’s peace and order at Nankhaka Stadium where the two giants of the Central Region will be rocking their horns tomorrow”.
Nkamanga’s faith like Mustard seed
Despite his team sitting three points adrift, Namitete Zitha coach Martin Mthetho Nkamanga believes his team is capable of clinching the title.
Not only three points is needed for the Namitete side but also a win with a wider margin as Kawinga FC’s goal difference is 10 over Namitete Zitha FC.
Nkamanga said: “You know we have been notified few days ago that we are playing the final match on Sunday, we had to recall some players who left to their homes, but we are ready for this encounter”
“We are behind, we have nothing to lose but what we need is to score more goals. We will approach the game with attacking minded so that we score many goals to boost our chances of winning the league”
When providing team news, he said “we have full squad, no one is injured or suspended so we will just select those who are fit for the game”
Harry Saidi’s aware of Namitete revenge mission
Kawinga Football Club coach Harry Saidi has warned his players to expect a tough encounter against St. Gabriel Zitha FC.
Saidi said he is aware that their opponents are preparing for a revenge of a first round match which ended 1-0 to Kawinga FC.
“We beat them 1-0 at their backyard in the first round so I know for sure they will come hard on us and we have been talking to players, preparing both mentally and physically so that they should be focused in the entire match but we are much prepared for the game”
“We have two players rulled out of this game. Both are midfielders, one is injured and the other one is taking care of his grandparent who is sick”
top class officiation
Few weeks ago, when the teams had two games to wrap up the season , we talked with Duncan Lengani the Central Region Referees Committee chairperson who said. “We have intensified transparency and accountability, we have already come out with the list of referees who are going to officiate these final games”
“Apart from that we have beefed up the panel with those who have finished their games in Super League so that we can have fare officiation as we are winding up this season” said Lengani
Anointed advice
Soccer analyst Joseph ‘Anointed’ Kansampha said he is happy that the League is finally being finalized this Sunday.
He said this will give a promoted team enough time to prepare for Super League and players enough time to relax.
On tomorrow’s game Kansampha said: “Let me urge CRFA to tighten security and referees body should assign top class refs”
“Let me also advise teams to accept tomorrow’s results, we don’t need to see violence at Nankhaka as you know hooliganism has no room in morden football”
