Goals expected as BB, Eagles close first round

The TNM Super League log table does not lie. It shows that Big Bullets and Blue Eagles, who are opponents in today’s first round meeting at Kamuzu Stadium, are among the best attacking sides so far.
So, expect an explosion of goals when two teams with similar possession based football styles, yet both depleted, take their leadership case onto the pitch.

 
Having banged in 26 goals before their yesterday’s encounter against Azam Tigers at Kamuzu Stadium, the soaring Eagles were officially the highest scoring out of the 246 first round goals.
Bullets, who before Saturday games led on 28 points from 13 games, two points ahead of the cops, are not far off the goals race as they have netted 20 stepping into today’s assignment.

 
Both teams can fetch a goal from any attacking player and it is in this respect that Eagles have a slight disadvantage as they are without captain John Banda who is in Benin alongside midfield enforcer Phillip Masiye.
But the Eagles coach Deklerk Msakakuona has other loyal attacking servants such as Schumaker Kuwali, John Malidadi Junior, Gilbert Chirwa and probably best header of the ball, Charles Ngosi.
“The coach is, this season, using more attackers. He also now believes in a wide pool of players that is why we are able to cope with the absence of key players when they are with the national team,” Chirwa told The Nation recently at Nankhaka ground.

 
The Bullets too can sneak in a goal from any player in attack, be it captain Henry Kabichi long range shots, Jimmy Zakazaka, Mussa Manyenje or in-form Diverson Mlozi. What the Bullets lack the most is to translate their lion’s share of possession into more goals.
But for today’s game, the Bullets chairperson Kondie Msungama’s main worry is in defence which is without Sankhani Mkandawire and Yamikani Fodya who are in Benin, whereas Bashir Maunde is still carrying an arm injury.
“We will have to make do with what we have,” Msungama said.
Today’s match will test the Bullets’ depth in quality of squad.

Today’s TNM Super League fixtures:

Re launch            TNM Sapota Mapeto @           Kamuzu Stadium                             13:00hrs
Big Bullets                           versus                   Blue Eagles                          @          Kamuzu Stadium 14:30hrs
Airborne Rangers              versus                   Mighty Wanderers            @             Chitowe Stadium 14:30hrs. n