BB get Silver stern test
Big Bullets savour in the luxury of being the team to beat in the TNM Super League so far. However, they will get a real test of their pedigree this afternoon when they face defending champions Silver Strikers at their backyard in Area 47 in Lilongwe.
It is arguably the second biggest match on the domestic scene after the Blantyre derby between Bullets and Mighty Wanderers.
Bullets are currently on second position with 17 points from nine games — two short of leaders Moyale who, however, have played two games more. A win, therefore, will see Bullets return to the top of the table.
Such is the flurry of the mind games ahead of the big match that when asked how he looks forward to facing a team that is oozing with confidence, Silver coach Stein Chirwa said: “We have also not lost a game on the pitch, except for the one we lost in the boardroom when we forfeited points against Kamuzu Barracks.”
Silver hauled themselves out of the relegation zone last weekend when they collected four out of six points.
They were held by their capital city rivals Civo United to a goalless draw before pipping Blue Eagles 1-0.
Silver are now 12th on the standings, with five points from seven games. Apart from forfeiting three points, they started the league on minus nine points as punishment for causing violence during last season’s abandoned decider against Wanderers on December 28 2013 in Balaka.
Silver will be welcoming back their diminutive talisman and last season’s player of the season Green Harawa who has completed a three-match suspension and is expected to mesh with wonderboy Chawanangwa Kawonga.
But the man who has hogged the limelight in the Bankers’ camp is Blessings Tembo who has scored vital goals in a couple of matches this season.
Coming from a 2-0 win over sworn rivals Mighty Wanderers last weekend, Bullets cannot ask for more inspiration in the quest to end their 10-year championship drought.
Revitalised striker Jimmy Zakazaka and winger Fischer Kondowe carry the hopes for Bullets. Ironically, the duo was also at the hub of the Bullets’ last league triumph 10 years ago and it could be a case of turning back the hands of time.
Others expected to make a difference in BB camp are Zakazaka’s striking partner Tizgowere Kumwenda, midfielders Victor Limbani, Dalitso Sailesi and captain Henry Kabichi.
“We seem to have found the formula and rhythm and that gives us a lot of confidence though we’ll be playing a very strong team who are also the defending champions,” said Bullets coach Elia Kananji.
Also today, fallen giants Mighty Wanderers host rejuvenated Chikwawa United in Balaka.
Nomads anchor the top-flight league with a single point from eight games while Chikwawa are currently second from the bottom with four points from eight games. Even if they lose today, they will tie on points with Wanderers.
