Five out of our players on loan made appearances in Matchweek 7 of the TNM Super League at the weekend. We take a look at how they performed.
Chikumbutso Salima
Salima’s Bangwe All Stars suffered their third consecutive defeat when they went down 4-1 away to Silver Strikers on Sunday afternoon at the Bingu National Stadium. Nonetheless, the young winger refuses to let his side’s struggle dim his glow as he continues with remarkable performances.
Against the Central Bankers on Sunday, our reserves’ Player of the Year last season was in fine form despite his side’s lacklustre display.
Exactly at the stroke of half an hour, Salima won a penalty, which he coolly converted to pull one back for his side, which was then 2-0 down.
Unluckily Salima’s strike from the spot was not enough to inspire his side to a comeback as Silver scored twice again in the second half.
The goal against Silver came as a timely confidence boost to Salima, who went straight after Sunday’s match to join the Malawi squad which is camping in preparation for the upcoming Afcon qualifiers.
Mphatso Magaleta
The unbeaten run for Ekwendeni Hammers rolls on thanks to Magaleta who has made it his habit to score every weekend for his side.
Having scored three goals from the spot before Hammers’ tie last Saturday, Magaleta scored differently as he headed home a corner kick from Isiah Nyirenda to hand his side a lead over Karonga United in the 44th minute.
Magaleta will now aim to see his rich form continue when his side travels to Blantyre where they will face Mighty Tigers in their eighth league fixture this season.
Yamikani Mologeni
The young right-back continues to be an automatic pick for Bangwe’s starting eleven and given his consistence with reliable performances he is bagging full match minutes under his belt week in, week out.
Despite his side’s horrible run of form in which favourable results have dried out, Mologeni has produced so many positives he can take forward going into the upcoming fixture.
Emmanuel Saviel
The young striker started on the bench against Silver but replaced Robert Saizi at the start of the second half.
Nonetheless, his efforts did little to inspire Ma Stars to a comeback in a tie they had spells of possession but lacked the killer’s instincts.
After registering seven appearances, the striker is still searching for his first-ever goal in Malawi’s top-flight football.
Rahaman John
The netminder’s return to goals during the Silver match was one he could not have hoped for as he conceded four goals, something that has not happened to him for half a decade.
Despite that, John had a satisfactory performance as he produced a couple of big saves to prevent his side from going down by a wider margin.
Absentees
White Kitisen and Felix Demakude did not get involved in last weekend’s action as they finished Ekwendeni’s match against Karonga on the bench while Chimwemwe Yassin was out of Bangwe’s squad which travelled to face Silver Strikers in Lilongwe.
Next for them
After three back-to-back home fixtures, Ekwendeni Hammers will now take a trip to Blantyre where they will face Mighty Tigers next Sunday at the Mpira Stadium. This league fixture will see our players on loan looking to get more minutes.
For our players at Bangwe All Stars, they will now look forward to the next match which will be up against Red Lions at the Mpira Stadium next Saturday.
