Gerald Phiri eyes a good start

Mighty Wanderers coach Gerald Phiri is hoping that his arrival will herald a new chapter at Lali Lubani Road as he seeks to turn around the team’s fortunes.

Phiri starts his new lease of life in the blue side of town this afternoon with a potentially tricky TNM Super League fixture against Red Lions at Kamuzu Stadium in Blantyre.

The Nomads lie second from the bottom with one point from six games, 15 points short of leaders Blue Eagles.

“We need to win on Saturday because it will boost the team’s confidence. I have been with the team for five days now and I have a picture on the areas that we need to concentrate on.

“We have been working on coordination, but there is also need to improve on the levels of fitness. Red Lions are a good side and I am sure they will give us a good run, but the aim is to do well,” said Phiri.

He appealed to the team’s supporters to put their weight behind the players at this time when the chips are down and not to turn against them.

“The supporters’ attitude towards players is crucial because they need to show that they are behind them,” he said.

The last time the Nomads played was a fortnight ago when they had a miserable outing to Lilongwe where they lost to Blue Eagles (2-0) and Civo United (1-0).

The Nomads will be without goalkeeper Richard Chipuwa and defender Francis Mulimbika who are with the national team in Chad. But they have other key players such as  Bongani Kaipa, Kondwani Lufeyo, Innocent Dzimbiri, Mike Kaziputa, Mapopa Kaunda and Omega Mhone.

Unbeaten Eagles will be hoping to maintain their grip at the summit of the table when they host Mafco at Nankhaka in Lilongwe.

Eagles coach Deklerk Msakakuona said he is confident of remaining at the top.

“We are ready for Mafco. They, too, have done well, but we hope to continue with our good run,” said Msakakuona.

Even without John Banda and Phillip Masiye who are also with the Flames and injured Micium Mhone, Msakakuona has enough arsenal in the likes of Schumacher Kuwali, Gabriel Chirwa, Charles Ngosi and John Malidadi Jnr.

In another match slated for this afternoon, Epac host rookies Karonga United at Civo Stadium in Lilongwe.