Nyasa Big Bullets suffered their first loss of this elite TNM Super League season on Sunday to deny coach Kalisto Pasuwa an early title party.
Zikani Sichinga’s goal for Mafco condemned Bullets to a 1-0 defeat at Dedza Stadium, some 100 kilometres from Lilongwe.
A win on Sunday could have left Pasuwa needing just three points from the remaining four games to seal a fourth consecutive championship.
Bullets are five points clear of second-placed Blue Eagles with four games to go on the 16-team log table.
It means the defending champions Bullets need four points from the remaining games to confirm the championship.
Bullets are chasing an unprecedented 16 overall title and a treble.
The Blantyre-based giants won the FDH Cup last week and will also vie for the Airtel Top8 title defence.
Eagles have three games to wind up the season after defeating Mighty Mukuru Wanderers 1-0 on Saturday.
Richard Rapson’s goal handed former Chippa United coach Mark Harrison, who is Wanderers technical director, a first loss.
Down the table, Gastin Simkonda’s goal for hosts Moyale Barracks FC condemned TN Stars to relegation.
The second-from-bottom Stars have three games to go but their 16 points mean nothing even if they win the remaining matches.
Rumphi United anchor the table with 10 points and they have been relegated as they have finished their games.
Red Lions beat Rumphi 2-0 on Friday to confirm the former’s relegation.
Fourth-and-third from bottom Waka Waka Tigers and Sable Farming are not safe either as they are just separated by three points.
TNM SUPER LEAGUE FIXTURES:
Kick-off:2:30pm CAT
Wednesday 02nd November, 2022
Civil Service v Dedza Dynamos @ Champion Stadium
Saturday 05th November, 2022
Moyale v Kamuzu Barracks @ Mzuzu Stadium
Silver Strikers v Sable Farming @ Bingu Stadium
Sunday 06th November, 2022
Blue Eagles v Sable Farming @ Nankhaka
Wednesday 09th November, 2022
Mafco F.C` v Karonga United @ Chitowe Stadium
Mighty Mukuru Wanderers v Moyale @ Kamuzu Stadium
Kamuzu Barracks v T N Stars @ Champion Stadium
Tigers F.C v Nyasa Big Bullets @ Mpira Stadium
