Soccer pundits in the North have hailed rookies Karonga United for standing the heat of the Tnm Super League and maintaining their status for a second season despite the club operating without sponsorship.
The Ingwinas of Karonga as they are popularly known were relegated in in 2014 and 2016 respectively but they secured their status in the Super League on their 3rd time of asking following a 2-1 victory over Blue Eagles last Saturday.
The result catapulted the lakeshore based side from 13th to the top 8 which in the process qualified them for the Airtel Top 8 cup next season
Speaking in an interview, one of the renowned football pundit in the North Draxon Maloya, said Karonga United’s survival should not be taken lightly as it is no mean achievement.
“The Super League this year has been very competitive so seeing all our Northern Region clubs stand the heat is quite commendable and a welcome development for football in the region,” he said.
He added that the North has become a major centre of attraction for football lovers and there is need for more companies to come in and assist the clubs through sponsorship.
“If our teams are to sustain themselves in the long term there is need for sponsorship especially teams like Karonga United who have entertained and brought smiles to people despite their financial difficulties of being a community run club,” Maloya articulated.
Concurring with Maloya, another pundit Pickford Kamanga, who is also the Chitipa United general secretary, praised the Northern Region Football Association (NRFA) for making the SIMSO Premier League competitive hence contributing towards the ingwinas strong Super League showing.
He said Karonga United’s 2017 promotion into the Super League did not come on a silver platter but they had to fight for it hence their resilience in the top flight league.
According to NRFA general secretary Masiya Nyasulu, the North has been a breeding ground for players in the country and now clubs in the region are finally getting the success that they deserve.
Karonga United have wound up their season with 37 points from 30 matches and sit in 7th position.
Their survival means that for the first time in Super League history the North will be represented by 4 clubs Moyale Barracks, Mzuni FC, Karonga United and the newly promoted Chitipa United.
