NEWS | SPOSRTS

By Duncan Kaonga

The just ended TNM super league season was one of a kind as we saw the Nomads ending their 11 year stay in the doldrums to clinch their TNM Super league silverware. This was also the season in which some stars rose beyond people’s expectations. You talk of the likes of Denis Chembezi, and Chikoti Chirwas of this world.

On a rather sad note, some notable names delivered shambolic performances against the expectations of TNM Super league diehards. EM’s Duncan Kaonga who had been closely monitoring the league, has compiled a list of ten top stars who betrayed their followers by delivering below standard performances in the league just ended despite the expected hype prior to the onset of the league.

10. Peter Wadabwa, Striker (Mighty Be forward Wanderers fc)

One of the most travelled footballers of our generation. Wadabwa was regarded to be the hit man for his team as they were looking for their first TNM Super League glory since 2006. Unfortunately, came 2017, he was nowhere in sight. His team had to find solace from their midfielders for their goals; the likes of Yamikani Chester, and Joseph Kamwendo. This speaks volumes of how he underperformed throughout the season. No wonder, he was equally surpassed by veteran striker Esau Kanyenda who joined the team midway the season as he managed to scored 7; 2 more than his counterpart. Wadabwa rejuvenated himself in the last 3 games of the season where he scored 5 goals to wrap up an otherwise rusty season for himself.

9. Khuda Muyaba, Striker (Moyale Barracks fc)

The flamboyant striker for the “Kang’ina Lions” carried the hopes of his team after the injury of his captain, Gastin Simkonda earlier in the season.  However, his misfiring cost his team a top four finish and forsook Moyale Barracks Fc to a labored top eight finish.

On a good day, this youngster is a rare gem; but 2017 was not his season. He goofed a lot! No wonder he has made it into our top ten worst players in the season gone-by.

8. Innocent Bokosi, Striker (Red Lions fc)

The former Flames international started the 2017 TNM Season with a bang! Registering the first hat trick of the season was no kid’s feat. He was the most sought after goal poacher by then.

That, unfortunately, was not meant to be. Week in week out, he proved to be a has-been as he kept on chasing defenders’ shadows. His scoring rate diminished like nobody’s business. As his team’s main hitman, his goal-scoring drought condemned Red Lions to a long relegation battle as it had been a habitual occupant of the D-Zone. Fortunately, Mother Luck smiled on the Zomba-based soldiers as they escaped relegation by a whisker.

7. Tizgobere Kumwenda, Striker (Blue Eagles Fc)

Do you still remember him??

Tizgobere will be remembered for having scored the-then Big Bullets’ first goal against Fomboni fc of Comoros in the CAF champions’ league in the 2013/14 season. His name became the talk of the nation. No wonder, Silver Strikers FC did not hesitate to recruit him instantly.

Unfortunately, at Silver Strikers, his torch started diminishing. As he was reaching his twilight, Blue Eagles FC employed him so as to solve its striking woes, but alas!!! What a loss!! Throughout the season, Tizgobere has been nowhere in sight. He was relegated to the bench; at times, he was even donning reserve side’s colours.  For a striker of Tigzo’s caliber, failing to hit five shots past opponents’ goals is a sign of somebody who is on their footballing deathbed.

6. Chimwemwe Kunkwawa, Goalkeeper (Mzuni Fc)

His experience from Nyasa Big Bullets convinced Mzuni Fc that he was the right man for the job. He, however failed to maintain that prowess upon donning the green shirts of the Green intellectuals. All of a sudden, the students became perpetual punch bags. They even lost their bragging rights, having lost (for the first time) to their city neighbors, Moyale Barracks FC. Simply put, Kumkwawa of Mzuni Fc was not the same goalie who had assisted Nyasa Big Bullets to a super league triumph some two seasons earlier.  

Kumkwawa’s dip form cost his team a top eight finish and they have to eat a humblepie and watch from the stands as the Airtel Top eight bonanza is going to be played just before the dawn of the 2018 TNM Super League Season.

5. Thuso Paipi, Winger (Silver Strikers fc)

He is one of the most talented, and deadly wingers in our elite league. His name is synonymous with torturing defenders with his crafty foot works and super-sonic speed.  Overall, he has been the team’s main goal architect who provided Juan Mata like crosses to his strikers.

Though that is the case, we feel he also let his side down. At times, his individualism and Shibobo displays cost his team vital points. Silver Strikers became an equivalent of draws. His team failed to produce some wins in such otherwise obvious matches against such minnows as Master’s Security FC, and the likes of relegated Blantyre United FC.  

4. Yamikani Fodya, Left back (Nyasa Big Bullets fc)

One of the best natural left footers in the land who, in the past seasons, was a gem to watch and was the man behind his team’s good run of form. Such was the expectation that his team loyalists had on this left back. Fanatics had labeled him as the player to watch in 2017.

But 2018 appeared to have had other plans for this promising left back. The dead ball specialist became a perpetual benchwarmer as his performance nosedived; giving room to new boy in town, Emmanuel Zoya to dictate matters on the pitch.

All these make Fodya to be deservedly amongst our top ten flops of the season.  2.

3. Mussa Manyenje, Striker/Winger (Nyasa Big Bullets fc)

Another benchwarmer in the red army, so promising on paper but so pathetic on the ground. It’s another fairytale for Manyenje, the player who is always rated highly in the country but each passing season he under performs and this past season he didn’t disappoint as he continued his fate; delivering muddles.

Under sound guidance from the technical panel, he could be able to revive his career. He is just too good to be left to rot like the current status quo. Hopefully, he is going to recuperate.

2. Harvey Nkacha, Attacking midfielder/striker (Kamuzu Barracks fc)

Another embarrassment of the season. Harvey single-handedly led his team to its first ever TNM Super League trophy in 2016. Being named player of the season in 2016 speaks volume of his exploits in the said season.  Come 2017, Harvey was nowhere close to his self; he was toothless. All KB could settle was a labored top eight finish. Very poor for the champions, then.

1. Abel Mwakilama, Striker (Chitipa United fc)

The youthful striker from Chitipa United became a household name after emerging as the top goal scorer in the second tier league {Simama Premier league (North} with 30 goals. This made the 20-year-old to be the talk of the moment all over the media. At one time, he was also the bone of contention between Moyale Barracks FC and Nyasa Big Bullets. He opted for the former. After some sinister circumstances, the deal flopped. So to was the youngster’s form. Simply put, the boy had too much baggage on his shoulder. Being a rookie in the league, the pressure was just too much for the kid to handle.  Mwakilama miserably underperformed. He failed to translate the earlier media publicity onto the ground. The performance from his team bared it all. Banging just five goals in as many matches was assign of an ailing misfiring soldier. It came, therefore, as no surprise that his side bowed down from the league after a miserable debut performance.

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Due to the limited space my editor gave me this is where I should take a bow for now and I am sure you can concur with me that these household names did not live to our expectations. They cheated our feelings! No wonder, some of these have also lost their names from the National team call ups.