Malawi: Mighty Tigers relegated for the first time since 1986

The Blantyre-based side lost 1-0 to Blue Eagles on Wednesday, courtesy of Lanken Mwale’s strike in Lilongwe, to confirm their exit from the 16-member league after 39 years.

Hit by financial problems and a lean squad, Tigers sit second from the bottom of the log table with an academic match against Ekhaya FC being of little significance even after collecting maximum three points.

Ekwendeni Hammers, the only team that handed champions-designate Mighty Wanderers defeat this season, also inched closer to relegation to the second tier regional leagues after losing 3-0 to Silver Strikers.

Which other teams have been relegated?

The outgoing champions Strikers, who are chasing second place, got the scoring business done through Festus Duwe’s double and Aubrey Simbi’s own goal. Hammers, Mafco and Dedza Dynamos are all at risk of facing the drop.

Elsewhere, Karonga United’s woes continued with a home 2-1 defeat at the hands of Civil Service United while Dedza Dynamos lost 1-0 to Creck Sporting Club.

Up the table, Wanderers will wrap up the title when they face Kamuzu Barracks FC over the weekend. Bob Mpinganjira’s team is guaranteed CAF Champions League football for next year.

Down the table, three teams get relegated at the end of every season, their places taken up by three regional league champions.