CRFA bemoans two relegated teams
Central Region Football Association (CRFA) says is concerned that two teams from the region’s Premier Division have, for the first time in many years, technically been relegated from the TNM Super League.
Airborne Rangers are already relegated, whereas Dedza Young Soccer or Epac FC are destined for the second-tier league this season.
Dedza and Epac face-off in a relegation decider tomorrow at Civo Stadium in Lilongwe.
It is the first time in three seasons for CRFA to welcome two relegated teams from the top-flight league. Teams that are promoted from the CRFA rarely get relegated.
In most cases, teams from the Southern Region Football Association (SRFA) and Northern Region Football Association (NRFA) get relegated in the first season of promotion.
Surprisingly, this season NRFA rookies, Mzuni FC have technically survived the chop.
The survival means that NRFA will have three Super League teams next season. Chilumba Barracks are front-runners for promotion.
CRFA chairperson, Austin Ajawa, yesterday said it was a sad development that two teams from the region have failed to survive the chop.
“It’s a great concern for us but we can’t do otherwise. We hope that they will come back to the TNM Super League very soon,” Ajawa said.
Few teams that get relegated hardly bounce back with the likes of Chikwawa United in hibernation and the rest such as Blantyre United, Bvumbwe Research and Evirom still struggling in the Premier Division for the South.
Dwangwa United have just returned after five years. Chipiku League will have 22 teams next season following the relegation of two teams.
Former Mponela United coach, Benjamin Kumwenda, said some of the teams lacked mental strength at the top level.
“I will be surprised if Dedza get relegated because they were one of the best rookies of the season.On the part of Epac, they are in the situation that many people did not expect, but I think there were some of the in-house problems that affected some of the players,” he said.
In Saturday’s encounter, Epac need a victory against Dedza to remain in the league, whereas the latter just need a draw.
Epac have 27 points on position , two points a drift of fellow relegation contenders Dedza.
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