Eagles dare BB
Blue Eagles invade Blantyre this weekend hoping to revive their dream of joining the pantheon of local greats to lift the top-flight football league on the boil when they face leaders Nyasa Big Bullets.
It’s a top-of-the-table contest between the high-scoring and the least conceding teams at the ceremonial home of football, Kamuzu Stadium.
The People’s Team have netted 52 times, 12 goals more than Mafco FC who are the closest. On the other hand, the Malawi Police Service outfit have only lrt in seven goals, a testimony of their water-tight defence.
Bullets, who are chasing a fourth consecutive title and 16th overall, sit pretty at the summit of the 16-team league with 57 points from 23 matches, eight points above the second-placed cops.
Such is the luxury for Bullets that they have not yet tasted defeat, but have drawn six times, dropping 12 points in the process.
Lately, it has not been a stroll in the park for the People’s Team who are coming from two consecutive draws against Civil Service United and Silver Strikers while Eagles are smarting from a 1-0 loss to Ekwendeni Hammers.
Though it appears a potential title decider, both teams brushed off the suggestion, insisting the battle for the title is still open.
Bullets assistant coach Peter ‘Mjojo’ Mponda said: “It’s a big one, but certainly not a title decider because even if we win this one, it does not mean we’ll have the title in the bag.
“There are also other teams in contention, in particular [Mighty Mukuru] Wanderers and Kamuzu Barracks. So, we cannot afford to relax.”
He also said having dropped four points in their last two games, this afternoon’s showdown is a must-win.
Said the Bullets and Flames legend: “We cannot afford to drop points again. We believe that we are ready and playing at Kamuzu Stadium is always an extra motivation because we are able to express ourselves and play a free-flowing game.”
Analysing their opponents, the former Bullets sweeper said: “Eagles are good in defence. They have scored the least number of goals, but we are lethal in attack and that strikes a balance.”
He added that while their defence has been generous at times, Eagles have also been struggling to score.
Bullets have let in 15 goals while the cops have scored 26.
His Eagles counterpart Christopher Sibale was somehow cautious in his pre-match comment,
He said: “It will be tough, but fans should anticipate an exciting encounter.
“We are playing away, but we are not under pressure. We are ready for them and we expect to win.”
In form forward Anthony Mfune, aided by wonderkid Patrick Mwaungulu and lanky Nigerian forward Babatunde Adepoju carry Bullets’ expectations while Chimwemwe Idana will spearhead the midfield with Precious Sambani and Gomezgani Chirwa orchestrating play from wing defence.
For the Area 30-based side Gaddie Chirwa, Schumacher Kuwali and Micium Mhone are the men to watch upfront.
The two teams played out a one-all draw when they met in the first round at Nankhaka in Lilongwe.
In other matches, Silver Strikers host Mighty Waka-Waka Tigers at Silver Stadium, Salima Sugar Dedza Dynamos face Mafco FC at Dedza Stadium while Civo take on relegation-bound Rumphi United at Champion Stadium in Mponela, Dowa.
