Revenge will be the driving force as FCB Nyasa Bullets and Silver Strikers return to FDH Bank Premiership action this afternoon against the very teams that ended their Airtel Top 8 dreams just a week ago.
At Mpira Stadium in Chiwembe Township, Blantyre, Bullets face Ekhaya FC eager to erase the pain of last weekend’s dramatic 7-6 penalty shootout defeat in the Airtel Top 8 quarter-finals.
first leg. I Courtesy of FAM
In Lilongwe, Silver Strikers welcome Karonga United to Silver Stadium, seeking redemption after suffering a crushing 3-0 second-leg defeat that ended their cup campaign.
But beyond revenge, there is also plenty at stake in the title race.
Bullets are chasing maximum points to keep pace with leaders Mighty Wanderers, who climbed to the top of the table with a 2-0 victory over Civil Service United yesterday at Civo Stadium.
Adam Wallace put Wanderers in the lead in the 50th minute before an own-goal from Civil’s Gracious Kapachika in the 70th minute helped the Nomads to double the lead.
Wanderers now lead the standings with 21 points, while Blue Eagles and Bullets are level on 19 points.
However, the Malawi Police Service side occupy second place on goal difference after scoring 14 goals, two more than The People’s Team.
Blue Eagles face Kamuzu Barracks at Civo Stadium today.
Wanderers coach Bob Mpinganjira in a post-match interview, applauded his charges for the away victory.
Now the Nomads wait for today’s matches results which will decide their fate at the summit of the table.
But Bullets head coach Wedson Nyirenda admitted facing the same opponents within days presents a unique challenge.
However, he believes his side has learnt from last week’s disappointment.
“It has always been very difficult playing the same team within a few days, but our approach has changed. We know where we went wrong and we have made some adjustments. We need to see the team come onto the field with more anger and hunger,” said Nyirenda.
Meanwhile, Silver coach Peter Mgangira also wants an immediate response after his side’s humbling defeat in Karonga.
He said: “For the first two days it wasn’t easy looking at the result that we had in Karonga, but that’s football. The only thing we can do is make sure that we respond.
“We’re playing the same team that put us out of the Airtel Top 8. The best we can do is make sure that we win convincingly at home.”
Mgangira blamed the defeat on individual mistakes and poor finishing, saying his players have spent the week working on both areas as they refocus on the league title race.
Despite the revenge narrative, Ekhaya coach Enos Chatama insisted his side has already moved on from the cup triumph.
He said: “We have to forget about the Airtel Top 8 game. This time around we have to look forward to the FDH Bank Premiership.
“There is nothing like revenge in football. All that matters is how you prepare for the game. It will be a tough battle, but we are concentrating on ourselves.”
Chatama said victory would cut the gap between Ekhaya and Bullets to just one point, giving his players added incentive.
Karonga United interim coach Chris Chimkwita also played down the significance of last week’s victory over Silver.
He said: “It’s a new game and a different competition. That one was a cup game, this one is a league game.
“The boys are well prepared mentally, psychologically and physically. They are eager to face Silver Strikers in their own backyard.”
In other matches played yesterday, Moyale Barracks and Masters FC played out a 2-2 draw at Mzuzu Stadium.
Moyale scored through Brown Magaga and Chifuwa Makawa while Chisomo Mpachika and Stain Davie netted for Masters FC.
Luanar Mitundu narrowly beat Creck Sporting Club 1-0 through Rahman Mtondela’s spot kick.
Mafco defeated Red Lions 2-0 at Chitowe Stadium in an all-Malawi Defence Forces sides battle.
Ben Mbewe and Prince Kachere scored for the Salima-based soldiers.
