Title contenders seek recovery path
Nyasa Big Bullets, Silver Strikers and Blue Eagles will be seeking to put their TNM Super League title ambitions back on track when they return to action this afternoon..
Bullets, who were held one-all by Mighty Tigers, face rookies Ntopwa FC at Kamuzu Stadium in Blantyre while Silver host Kamuzu Barracks (KB) at Silver Stadium in Lilongwe after registering a barren draw against newcomers Chitipa United in their last outing.
Second-placed Eagles messed their 100 percent win rate when they drew 0-0 with newcomers and table-anchors Mlatho Mponela last Sunday, but have a chance to recover if they beat Tigers at Mulanje Stadium.
Bullets team manager James Chilapondwa said their players were disappointed with the Tigers result and are seeking to recover.
“The players were displeased with their performance, but they have learned a lesson and will look to returning to winning ways,” he said.Chilapondwa said they will still be without their key defenders Miracle Gabeya, Precious Sambani and Bashir Maunde despite recovering from injuries.
“They have started training, but they are not match fit so we are not risking them,” the team manager said.Bullets lie fifth with four points from two matches while Ntopwa are second from the bottom with a point from three matches.
Ntopwa owner and team manager Isaac Jomo Osman, a former Bullets main supporters committee chairperson, yesterday declared that they will chalk their first win this afternoon.
“We are not looking at the team we are facing, the boys are determined to chalk their first win tomorrow [today] regardless of the opposition’s status,” he said.Silver acting team manager Sibusiso Padambo, said they are wary of KB’s attacking potent, but was optimistic his side will triumph.
“Playing out a draw with Chitipa United was not disappointing because they are a good side. What we need now is to beat KB to keep pace with the league leaders,” he said.
“We know KB have good strikers but we are prepared to face them and win.”KB are yet to win a match this season having drawn two so far. Their coach Billy Phambala believes that his side has gelled and is ready to wage war
“We have brought in new faces and in the past two games there was lack of coordination with the old faces. But now we have sorted that out,” he said.Eagles assistant coach Sam Chidati said they focused their training this week on sharpening the striking force.
“Against Mlatho we lacked that striking edge. We have ironed that out and we are optimistic we will get the much needed goals,” he said.
Eagles’ Southern Region sojourn ends with a potentially titanic battle against Be Forward Wanderers. They will be without the services of injured striker John Malidadi Jnr in both assignments.
