Silver, Nomads in tricky fixtures

High-flying Silver Strikers coach Peter ‘Mjojo’ Mponda says they cannot afford to sit on their laurels if they are to keep their TNM Super League title aspirations on the boil.

Fresh from their 2-0 win over Mighty Mukuru Wanderers last Sunday, the Central Bankers host unpredictable Karonga United at Silver Stadium in Lilongwe while the Nomads also have a tricky fixture against Mzuzu City Hammers away at Mzuzu Stadium this afternoon.

Silver sit pretty at the pinnacle of the flagship league table with 19 points from seven matches, six points clear of second and third-placed FCB Nyasa Bullets and Mzuzu City Hammers, respectively.

The Central Bankers have only dropped two points, but in an interview yesterday, Mponda said they will have to keep up the momentum in every game.

He said: “We cannot afford to slow down regardless of the opposition and we have to take each game seriously. The moment we hang loose and lose the hunger, then we will lose the plot.

“Karonga are another good side who can cause problems on their day and we need to stay focused. We are expecting a tough game.”

Silver will be without four players, namely strikers Binwell Katinji, Gift Chunga and Atusaye Nyondo as well as midfielder Duncan Nyoni due to injuries while defender Chisomo Mpachika is still under assessment.

On his part, Karonga coach Oscar Kaunda said they are determined to end Silver’s remarkable run.

He said: “We know it won’t be an easy game, especially playing away, but we are ready and determined to collect maximum points.

“Silver are unbeaten and they are at the top of the table, but that doesn’t bother us. There is time for everything.

“We are urging our fans to come and cheer us on and we won’t disappoint them.”

Ingwina ya Karonga are ninth with nine points from nine matches.

Meanwhile, both Wanderers and Hammers will be out to recover following their bad outings last weekend.

While the Nomads sang blues against Silver, Hammers also lost to Bullets by the same margin.

But in an interview yesterday, Hammers coach Elias Chirambo said his charges have picked themselves up and are ready for this afternoon’s showdown.

“That is water under the bridge. The focus has now shifted to tomorrow’s [today] game and the morale in camp is high,” he said.

Last season, Silver won the first round match 4-0 at home while the second round match ended goalless. 

As for the Nomads, their loss to Silver was their first this season and they are fourth with 12 points from seven matches.

The Lali Lubani Road outfi’s assistant coach Meck Mwase yesterday said they have pulled through and are raring to go.

“We have been working on the shortfalls that were noted and we hope to get back to winning ways though we know it won’t be an easy match,” he said. 

Last season, the Nomads won both matches against Hammers by 2-1 margins.