Bullets bank on home ground advantage
The promise that two away wins have brought on Big Bullets come under test today when they entertain Kamuzu Barracks (KB) at Kamuzu Stadium in a TNM Super League first-round meeting.
Bullets march onto the pitch as opening week leaders, thanks to uncharacteristic 2-1 and 1-0 wins over Moyale Barracks and Karonga United respectively at the usually no-go zone of Mzuzu Stadium.
It was a perfect weekend for new Bullets coach Eliah Kananji and his backroom team. Therefore, the expectations are even higher considering that Bullets built their reputation around the walls of the Blanyre arena.
It has been years since Bullets, who finished on an unfamiliar eighth position last season which was punctuated by infighting, started a season on top.
But that is not the only surprise.
Away in Mzuzu, defender Sankhani Mkandawire showed diversity to his game when scoring in both days, proving he can join elite defenders such as Young Chimodzi Senior who have more career goals than some strikers.
“It is all about time,” said Mkandawire.
He scored on both days from set pieces. He will be expected to show the Blantyre crowd his newly found expertise; although KB’s defence which Diego Simaone marshals is usually watertight.
Of course, the job for scoring rests on the shoulders of Tizgobere Kumwenda and Mussa Manyenje, whose time has come to translate their promise into the deliverables.
In fact, Simaone epitomises the unpredictability on the road of KB who combine aggression, power-passing and precision upfront.
Up there, Manasseh Chiyesa and experienced Joel Chipofya can drag defenders wide and create openings for the likes of Kelvin Hanganda and Harvey Nkacha to sneak in a goal. The battle is on.
