Chitipa United’s winning streak in the TNM Super League came to an end on Sunday as Red Lions toppled the northern region side, 1-0, at Balaka Stadium.
There was little to separate the two sides until the 64th minute when Davie Meja put the Reds ahead after receiving an assist from man of the match Brown Gondwe.
After the goal Chitipa made a double change to add power upfront bringing in Ken Mlenga and Mabuchi Msiska for Ramadan Mtafu and Rajab Nyirenda but this did not yield anything as Red Lions held on to the slender lead until the final whistle.
With the loss, Chitipa have now dropped to fifth on the log table with 13 points, level with fourth placed Moyale Barracks but the latter have a better goal difference.
Red Lions are back on 15th position with nine points just one point from safety.
In other matches played on Sunday, Silver Strikers beat Mafco FC 1-nil courtesy of Chimwemwe Idana’s 21st minute goal.
The central bankers have now moved to the top on the log table having accumulated 21 points, a point above defending champions FCB Nyasa Big Bullets.
At Nankhaka Stadium Blue Eagles gave away their first half lead to draw 1-1 against Civil Service United.
Eagles goalkeeper Brighton Munthali put the home side ahead 13 minutes from kick-off with a superb free kick inside his own half but Civil equalized in the 85th minute through Binwell Katinji.
Kamuzu Barracks beat rookies Bangwe All Stars 2-nil with goals from Chimwemwe Chisambi and Kelvin Hanganda.
In Mzuzu, second half goals from Charles Nkhoma and Gasten Simkonda helped Moyale Barracks to secure maximum points over Dedza Dynamos at Mzuzu Stadium.
Extreme FC recorded their first victory in the TNM Super League after beating Mighty Mukuru Wanderers 1-0 at Bingu National Stadium (BNS) in Lilongwe on Saturday
The Nomads made several changes to the team that beat Karonga United last Saturday with Richard Chipuwa starting in goals for William Thole who has been their first choice goalkeeper this season.
Vitumbiko Kumwenda, Mathews Masamba and Emmanuel Nyirenda also started for the Nomads as the regulars Lawrence Chaziya, Wisdom Mpinganjira and Christopher Kumwembe were on the bench.
Extreme FC caretaker coach Elvis Kafoteka
Gregory Mwase broke the deadlock in the 38th minutes when he headed home a well taken free kick by John Chalamanda to give the Elvis Kafoteka- coached side a deserving lead.
The Mchinji-based side continued to search for a second goal and looked more determined to secure maximum points on top of the Lali-Lubani boys.
Wanderers defender Miracle Gabeya was shown a straight red card in the 41st minute after a bad tackle on Justice Honde.
In the second half, Wanderers coach Mark Harrison made a number of changes bringing in the fresh legs of Kumwembe, Mpinganjira, Chaziya and Mphatso Kamanga, but Extreme FC led by Trevor Kalema in defence and Blessings Juma in goals, made sure that the Nomads leave the capital city empty handed.
This is the second defeat for the Nomads this season after loosing to Chitipa United at home a couple of weeks ago.
The win means that Extreme have now gone a point above Red Lions who are bottom on the log table after accumulating four points.
Red Lions however can return to 15th position if they win at home against the in form Chitipa United on Sunday.
Mighty Mukuru Wanderers remain third on the log table with 17 points, three points behind leaders FCB Nyasa Big Bullets.
In Blantyre, FCB Nyasa Big Bullets thumped Ekwendeni Hammers 4-1, in a match the Ndirande outfit scored five goals, four past their opponents’ goal and one into their own goal.
Hassan Kajoke drew first blood for the People’s team just three minutes from kick-off and Lanjesi Nkhoma scored Bullets’ second and his eighth goal this season, just eight minutes before half time.
The other goals for Bullets came from Patrick Mwaungulu and Anthony Mfune while Gomezgani Chirwa scored into his own goal to give the visitors a consolation.
In Karonga it ended 1-all between Karonga United and Mighty Tigers at Karonga Stadium.
The visitors were the first to score through Trouble Kajani in the 58th minute but the home side equalized from the penalty spot through Davie Tobias just three minutes before the end of the regulation time.
Alfred Manyozo spoke on behalf of coach Mark Harrison
The Ministry of Education is thrilled to announce that girls have emerged as the dominant force in this year’s Junior Certificate of Education (JCE) exams. With a higher number of girls compared to boys in the candidature of 176,341, there has been a remarkable 10.24% increase from the previous year.
This achievement showcases the dedication and determination of young women in pursuing their education and attaining success.
During the JCE exam closure, the Deputy Minister of Education, Honourable Nancy Chaola Mdooko, MP emphasized the importance of elective subjects like French and Woodwork, highlighting that they introduce students to new fields and career choices, contributing to skills development.
Despite challenges involving unpaid fees by unprofessional teachers, the Ministry swiftly resolved these issues, ensuring that all affected candidates had the opportunity to sit for the exams.
The Ministry celebrates the empowerment of girls and recognizes their significant contributions to the academic landscape.
This remarkable accomplishment is a testament to the resilience and potential of girls in Malawi, and it sets a promising precedent for a future where gender equality in education is fostered and celebrated.
Homeland Security Minister Kenneth Zikhale Ng’oma has sent a high-powered delegation from his Ministry and Department of Refugees to see the proposed site for a new refugee camp at Kameme in Chitipa District.
Speaking in a separate interview Ng’oma said that the decision has been made after noticing that Dzaleka Refugee Camp is too close to the capital city of Lilongwe.
According to Ng’oma, the decision will enhance the screening processes of foreign nationals entering the country.
Homeland Security Minister Dr Ken Zikhale Ng’oma
Ng’oma believes that there will be a good relationship with the neighbouring countries bearing in mind that security issues require good international relations with the neighbouring countries.
The minister highlighted that this will improve the country’s security considering that some foreign nationals dangerous weapons that pose a threat to national security.
“Refugees and asylum seekers as well as foreign nationals must be screened at the border as it is being done in the United States of America and elsewhere,
We are doing this to improve our security because some of these illegal immigrants are dangerous to the security of the country because they bring guns in the country so I have instructed officials from my ministry to go to Chipita to see the new site,” he said.
Ideally, a refugee camp is supposed to be located 50Km from the border and far away from the city.
The development also comes as Government is considering closing Dzaleka Refugee Camp in Dowa.
So many people have been commenting variously as soon as the issue of the Malawi government signing a contact for the supply of AIP fertilizer with EAST BRIDGE was made known. But hold on a second people. This is a normal contract where 360 degrees due diligence was made with the conclusion that it will ultimately help Malawians.
Like any other holding company, EAST BRIDGE has many subsidiaries. For example, our good uncle Dr. Thom Mpinganjira of FDH Financial Holdings Company has FDH Bank PLC, and Ekhaya Farm Foods, just like Mulli Brothers, who are into produce, pharmaceutical as well as transportation. ETG in Africa supplies fertilisers but also does a lot on top of supplying fertilisers.
*EAST* *BRIDGE* is registered a company here in Malawi called East Bridge Commodities and Logistics. This is the company that will help the Malawi Government to deliver over 600,000 Metric tones of AIP fertilizers for the 2023/2024 agriculture growing season.
What this means is that the company that will supply a majority of AIP fertilizers in the coming growing season is pretty much a Malawian company.
East Bridge Commodities and Logistics has already started purchasing the fertilizers. Already 200, 30 tone trucks will arrive in the country by the end of this July 2023. This project alone will create more than 500 jobs for Malawians.
On top of this, the company is slated to make a huge investment in the agriculture sector, particularly in the establishment of mega farms. It will also be involved in the procurement of agriculture produce from farmers thereby helping to empower local farmers through bettter farmgate prices.
East Bridge Commodities and Logistics is also set to create a fertilizer manaufacturing company in Malawi by the end of 2025. Apart from creating employment, this fertilizer manufacturing plant will help to conserve forex as fertilizer will be manufactured locally.
Critical Facts about the deal
There is no upfront payment from the Malawi Government as such Malawians should not be worried that there will be any loss of taxpayer’s money as payment will only be effected later when the project is running
Payment will also be made through commodity exchange after a year and not through forex as has always been the case. This is a deliberate measure to help save the the country the scarce forex. East Bridge Commodities and Logistics is very comfortable with this arrangement.
It is also important to note that the necessary due diligence was done before signing of this agreement, and all processes were fulfilled as per procurement procedures.
A legal opinion was also sought as is required. On top of this, East Bridge Commodities and Logistics is not the only company that will supply AIP fertiliser this season.
There are about 15 companies that will be given contracts to supply of AIP fertilizer very soon. Most of the companies are also local companies that are owned by Malawians. This is in line with government’s agenda of empowering local Malawians towards the growth of the economy.
HOW MALAWIANS WILL BENEFIT FROM THE DEAL
This deal is not just a fertilizer deal, it is more of an investment project. Among other things, it will help this country in increased access to fertilizer, which will help more Malawians access the commodity in time, translating in greater yield and most likely greater incomes and better livelihood for Malawians.
The project will also help in creating more employment opportunities among the youths in the country. Ultimately, the deal will increase agriculture productivity as well as access to better markets by farmers in the country.
*DISCLAIMER*: The author is writing in his personal capacity
