Blue Eagles and FCB Nyasa Big Bullets will be fighting for the top slot when they face off this afternoon at Civo Stadium in Lilongwe.
The Lilongwe-based Malawi Police Service side head into this fixture buoyed by their 2-0 win over table-anchors Goshen City Dedza Dynamos while the People’s Team played out a goalless draw with Red Lions.
Eagles are second on the log table with nine points from three matches, they are tied on points with leaders Silver Strikers and third-placed Masters FC, but are separated by goal difference.
But both Silver and Masters are not in action until tomorrow.
On the other hand, the People’s Team are fourth with eight points and trail the top three teams by just a point.
A win, therefore, for either of the two could see them climb to the summit of the table.
Bullets and Lions are the only teams yet to taste defeat in the 16-team league.
In a pre-match interview, Bullets coach Gilbert Chirwa said they are looking to bounce back after a frustrating draw against Lions, but acknowledged that it won’t be a stroll in the park for his charges.
“We are aware of the opponents we are facing, they are a good side, but we are ready for them,” he said.
“We have been working on some weaknesses we spotted in the previous game. We were good in defence, but going forward, we did not tick. So, we have been polishing that area.”
On having just one short on targets against Red Lions, the Bullets legend said: “This is a different game against a different opponent and we believe that with the way we have trained, it will be different.”
He also said playing at Civo Stadium, other than Eagles’ Nankhaka Stadium, means it will be a 50-50 affair.
On his part, Eagles gaffer Deklerk Msakakuona said while they expect a tough match, they are ready for Bullets.
“They dropped points last week and obviously, they will come with all their guns blazing, but we are raring to go,” he said.
Last season, Eagles won the first round fixture 1-0 away while the second round contest ended 0-0.
In other games scheduled for this afternoon, it will be a battle for newcomers at Zomba Stadium as sixth-placed Red Lions host Luanar Mutundu, who are 11th on the table.
Tenth-placed Kamuzu Barracks take on Ekhaya FC who are a step above them. They both have four points alongside Luannar Mitundu and Moyale Barracks, who face struggling Creck Sporting Club at Rumphi Stadium.
Creck have two points from four matches and it will be a stern test for their coach Eliah Kananji, who was suspended following their 1-3 defeat to Kamuzu Barracks before being reinstated days later.
