Airborne Rangers stuck in the Lower League

By Edwin Mbewe

The Parachute Battalion soldiers from Salima, Airborne Rangers football club, persist as the lone active regional team since their relegation from Malawi’s Super League nearly a decade ago.

Recalling their promotion into the Super League on January 20, 2014, remains vivid for the flying soldiers. They secured a 1-0 victory over Black Eagles at Lilongwe Technical College ground, courtesy of Dingiswayo Banda’s spot kick, just two minutes into the game after Eagle’s defender McDonald Kaphandleddling the ball in the box.

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The memorable game attracted attention from Super League coaches like Deklerk Msakakuona of Blue Eagles, Stain Malata of Silver Strikers, and Abbas Makawa, defunct EPAC.

Airborne Rangers maintained their slim lead, while Black Eagles, reduced to 10 men after Noel Katenje received the red card for confronting the referee in protest of the penalty, Rangers faced relegation alongside FISD Wizards in the 2015 season, ending their elite league stint.

Their final match against Mighty Tigers concluded in a 2-1 defeat, leaving coach Kondwani Gawani disheartened. Rangers, along with Peter Mponda’s Fisd Wizard, suffered a 3-1 defeat to Mighty Wanderers, sealing their return to the then MK6 million Chipiku Stores central region and SRFA premier divisions respectively.

Any hope of Rangers returning to the elite league?

After a decade in the lower league, Airborne Rangers, now the sole active team post-relegation, cling to optimism. General Secretary Madalo Mkwate expressed confidence in the club’s resurgence, acknowledging challenges like limited institutional support and squad changes. Mkwate stated, “I am upbeat we will bounce back one day… we will come with a bang.”

In the recently concluded 2023 MK16.5 million Chipiku Stores Premier division league, Airborne Rangers finished fourth with 42 points from 22 games. Mkwate remains hopeful for promotion in the upcoming season.

In the 2024 season, the soldiers sit in position six (6) in group C with 3 points having won one game and lost twice.

Why do teams struggle to keep heads high after relegation?

Dedza Young Soccer were relegated eight years ago but they are finding it hard to find their way back into elite football. They nearly missed the 2024 Central Region Football League due to a lack of registration fee, thanks to former Silver Strikers Chief Executive Officer, Thokozani Chimbali who paid MK200,000.

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Sable Farming were relegated from the Super League in 2022 but they are not existing.

Charles Nyirenda, a sports enthusiast with football administration experience, identifies factors contributing to teams’ struggles post-relegation. Lack of ownership, departure of key players and coaching staff, and poor management are cited as reasons for a team’s stagnation. Nyirenda emphasizes stiff competition in the premier division, lack of willpower, and insufficient resources as additional hurdles.

Considering the relegation of Blue Eagles, Extreme, and Red Lions in the 2023 TNM Super League season, Nyirenda poses a poignant question on the timeline for their comeback, highlighting the challenges teams face in making a swift return.