The wrangle over unpaid allowances and game bonuses at Super League powerhouse Escom United took a nasty twist on Friday when the executive committee fired almost the entire first team.

It is the same old and drab tale! The journeymen of Southern Africa, the Flames, flew out to Chad to participate (not compete) in the 2013 African Cup preliminary round encounter.

It is evident that coach Kinnah Phiri is under panic after losing to Chad in the Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) first round encounter as he has already unveiled proposals for the return match before discussing with Football Association of Malawi (Fam).

When Towera Vinkhumbo, widely known as a netballer, was drafted in the Malawi women national football squad recently, many thought she was just her namesake.

The wrangle over unpaid allowances and game bonuses at Super League powerhouse Escom United took a nasty twist on Friday when the executive committee fired almost the entire first team.

Civo United risk losing their K10 million cut from the transfer fees of Spain-based Robin Ngalande if the striker fails to win a place in the Flames and Atletico Madrid main team, The Sunday Times understands.

Chad is more like Malawi's football graveyard—it's where the 2012 Africa Cup colourful dream was mercilessly butchered and bitter tears voluntarily flowed down the players' cheeks like the colossal Shire River in summer.

Football was there, athletes showcased their talent and boxers fought in front of President Bingu wa Mutharika at the nearly fully packed Kamuzu Stadium in Blantyre Saturday to mark the grand launch of the K120 million Presidential Initiative on Sports (PIS).

Colourful dreams of turning local football clubs and the Flames into instant millionaires through replica jerseys business are sinking into the horizon as the kits are literally not selling, The Sunday Times has established.

Flames and Wanderers' midfielder Lenard 'Lenzo' Malunga was such a fantastic player but one element that out-shone all his abilities was his brilliant free-kicks that left the goalkeepers in a maze of wonder.

Civo United players have said their late meltdown in the challenge for the Super League crown was because of the club's failure to motivate them by not paying game bonus, whose arrears now total K3 million.

After months of tackles, beautiful goals and ugly scenes, the 2011/12 Super League finally ended yesterday. As per tradition, The Sunday Times has picked the best 11 players, the substitutes and coaches for the just ended season. Clement Chinoko writes:

It was an afternoon when demons were exorcised and ghosts were laid to rest and Silver Strikers' fairy-tale story was concluded.

It's over in Blantyre, Silver are the champions beating Escom 1-0.

We missed a lot chances. They got their chance and they scored. Its really sad" said Escom coach Charles Manda.

"We have done it. We are champions" Silver caretaker coach Hellings Mwakasungula said.

Its time for Fam president Walter Nyamilandu and Sulom president Innocent Bottoman to present the title.

In Mzuzu, Nomads losing 2-1 to Moyale Barracks. In Lilongwe, it's over Bullets beat Civo 1-0. Game over now, Nomads lose to Moyale.

Less than five minutes and seems like Escom has surrendered the title. Unless a miracle happens.

So far no complaints on officiation. Mavuto Msimuka is handling the game well.

The battle for golden boot is getting interesting. Moyale's Gastin Simkonda has equalised in Mzuzu. He now has 17 goals. Epacs Ishmael Thindwa has 18.

Escom are denied an equaliser by the cross bar again. This time Spencer Chipantha is the victim. He is complaining that the ball crossed the line before bouncing back in the field. But it wasn't a goal anyway.

In Lilongwe, Bullets are leading 1-0 through a goal scored by Godfrey Masonda.

Whatever coach Charles Manda told his players seem to have jolted his players. Here they come again Noel Mkandawire with across but Silver defender heads out for corner kick. Kondwani Gawani will take that but its straight into the palms of Amadu

Escom's playmaker Ndaziona Chatsalira has had quite game but is clse to equalising as his shot hits the post. The rebound is a waste from Gawani who blasts over the bar

Time is fast running out for Escom. They 25 minutes to defend the title. We just have to wait and see if that's possible. Otherwise the title is heading back to Lilonngwe. In Mzuzu, it's now 1-1. Gastin Simkonda equalised.

In Lilongwe, it's still 1-1 between Civo and Bullets.

Escom win a freekick but is cooly taken care of by Silver defence. Kondwani Gawani pounces on the rebbound but Silver goalie Amadu Ali easily takes of his in swing

Escom have reorganised their attack. They win another freekick after Chimango Kayira I'd brought down just a few metres from the box. But its poorly taken.Silver launch a counter attack on the left flank a cross is floated in searching for Gonani but Swini overtakes the striker to force a corner.

Silver want to cool down the tempo of the game. But Escom are desperate they need that equaliser now. In Lilongwe Civo and Bullets still 0-0.

We are back in business at Kamuzu Stadium as Escom try to come back into the game. In Mzuzu it's half time, Nomads leading 1-0.

Silver are piling more pressure on Escom. Gonani, Frank Banda and Harvey Nkacha are causing so much havoc in Escom defence. The referee blows the whistle to mark the end of first half