Giants Silver Strikers and FCB Nyasa Bullets have an axe to grind when they clash in a potentially explosive TNM Super League showdown at Silver Stadium in Lilongwe this afternoon.
The People’s Team, who are the reigning champions, still have bitter memories of how the Bankers ended their unbeaten run in the first round with a 1-0 win at their Kamuzu Stadium backyard in Blantyre.
On the other hand, the Reserve Bank of Malawi-sponsored outfit still rues the Airtel Top 8 final defeat by the same margin a fortnight ago at the giant Bingu National Stadium in the capital city.
It will also be a hugely significant fixture in the chase for honours as a win for leaders Silver could see them within touching distance of the title they last won 11 years ago.
Victory for the Bankers will also take Bullets, who have won the title five times on the trot, out of contention.
Silver top the 16-team flagship league log table with 57 points from 25 matches and two wins out of their remaining five matches, will see them end their title drought as they will have insurmountable 63 points.
Second-placed Mighty Mukuru Wanderers, who are on bye this weekend, have 54 points, but have played a game more than Silver.
Bullets are third with 44 points from 25 matches, 13 behind the leaders.
In a pre-match interview yesterday, Silver coach Peter ‘Mjojo’ Mponda believes that realistically, a win today could see them seal the title.
Said former Bullets assistant coach and captain: “That’s how important today’s match is to us and we are not taking any chances.
“We are ready for them, no pressure at all. Having lost to them recently, we have to make it right, we know where we lost it and it’s time to get it over and done with.”
To their credit, Silver still stand proudly as the only team yet to taste defeat and with the league heading towards the climax, today’s contest provides them with a stern test.
Confidence is high in both camps after registering impressive victories in midweek fixtures. Silver beat Mafco 6-1 in the league while Bullets whacked Changalume Barracks 5-0 in the Castel Challenge Cup.
In an interview on Thursday, Bullets coach Kallisto Pasuwa said he is optimistic that his boys learnt from the mistakes made in the first round and will do better this afternoon.
“It’s the same way we approach other games. So, the same way we prepare ourselves is the same way we prepare against Silver, a team that is playing very well.
“We are 13 points behind, but we will try our best to do good in each and every department to take all the three points. It will not come in an easy way and we need to prepare ourselves to win.”
Pasuwa said they will be without Chrispin Mapemba, Colin Mujuru and Anthony Mfune, who are injured, but they still have enough arsenal in Babatunde Adepoju, Ephraim Kondowe, Ronald ‘Rooney’ Chitiyo and Maxwell Gsten Phodo upfront, Lloyd ‘Banega’ Aaron, Chikumbutdo Salima, Precious Phiri, Yankho Singo and Ernest Petro in midfield, Clyde Seneji, Blessings Mpokera and captain Gomezgani Chirwa manning the defence.
He said: “There is need to be tactically good to get a point. There is need for team effort from each and everyone in the house.
“Last time we lost from a counter-attack following a set-piece and [we] ended up conceding in dying minutes and I thought the boys also learnt a lesson and we will go out there having done our homework.”
In the likes of goalkeeper George Chikooka, defenders McDonald Lameck, Nickson Mwase and Maxwell Paipi, captain Chikondi Kamanga, Uchizi Vunga, workhorse Chimwemwe Idana and Zebron Kalima in midfield and the likes of Binwell Katinji, Chinsisi Maonga, Gift Chunga, Charles Chipala and Stein Davie in attack, the Bankers also have a deep squad.
