Moyale Barracks will be aiming to remain top of the TNM Super League table when they engage a revitalised Azam Tigers at Mzuzu Stadium this afternoon.
Any slip this afternoon by Moyale, could give their second-placed Big Bullets, a chance to topple them from the summit of the flagship league table.
Bullets host Silver Strikers tomorrow at Kamuzu Stadium in Blantyre. Moyale have 36 points from 17 games just like Bullets, but it is the former’s two-goal better difference that separates them.
Moyale’s coach Nicholas Mhango was cautious in his pre-match talk saying Tigers are doing well.
“They have a good side with a blend of young and experienced players such as Nafe Msasa and Bernard Harawa and we’ll have to take extra caution, but we are ready for them and I am optimistic that it will be a good match,” said Mhango on Matindi Radio yesterday.
However, Tigers technical director Robin Alufandika yesterday said his team is hit by injuries, claiming four key players—captain Malumbo Gondwe, their talisman Gomezgani Gondwe, Harawa and Mapopa Musukwa—are doubtful starters.
“Injuries have taken toll on us, but we have other equally good players who can fill their positions,” said Alufandika whose team is on eighth position with 19 points from 15 games, but are two games short of the leading teams.
However, even if the four key players do not feature, such is the depth in quality at Kau-Kau that they have others that can do the job such as Isaac Kaliati, Stanely Sanudi, Boston Kabango, Bright Munthali, Wongani Kuchisanja, James Sangala, Patrick Thupi, Peter Kasonga, Diverson Chilemba and Felix Kamwendo.
Tigers will also be inspired by their 1-0 win over Mighty Wanderers last weekend
Moyale will bank their hopes on the likes of Gastin Simkonda, Chrispin Fukizi and Deus Nkutu.
In the first-round, Moyale emerged 1-0 winners. Tomorrow, Tigers take on bottom-of-the-table Karonga United at the same venue.
In another potentially explosive fixture, third-placed Blue Eagles invade Southern Region to take on Mighty Wanderers at Balaka Stadium this afternoon before facing Blantyre United tomorrow.
Should Eagles win both matches, they will go top of the table with 40 points as they now have 34 points and with goal-hungry forwards such as Schumacher Kuwali and Charles Ngosi at their disposal, the cops can achieve that.
But the Nomads will be out to make up for their loss to Tigers last weekend. The Nomads are on 11th position with 17 points from 16 games.
In other games slated for this afternoon, Blantyre United host defending champions Silver Strikers at Kalulu Stadium in Nchalo whereas Airborne Rangers entertain Civo United at Chitowe in Dwangwa.
