A ‘Super Sunday’ atmosphere is expected at Zomba Stadium this afternoon when giants Mighty Wanderers and Silver Strikers clash in a highly anticipated FHD Bank Premiership encounter.
The blockbuster fixture has already generated huge excitement among football fans in the old capital, with both teams heading into the match in confident mood.
Wanderers coach Bob Mpinganjira says his side is determined to end their recent struggles against the Bankers, who are second on the table with nine points from four matches, after failing to dominate the fixture in recent years.
He said: “It’s true that they have dominated us in the past years, but everybody wants to win. So this time around we’ll make sure to work extra hard. We know that they will come hard, but we are also ready for them and we’ll make sure that we get a better result. We are ready for the match. All the players have done well in training and are looking forward to the game.”
The Nomads mentor said while maximum points remain the target, his technical panel is avoiding placing too much pressure on the players.
Said Mpinganjira: “It’s very important for us to get maximum points, but we don’t want to give our players pressure. Yes, we know that we have to be on top there, but one win at a time will help us a lot. So we are not rushing anywhere. All we are making sure is that at least we get a better result.”
The match will also mark Wanderers’ first competitive fixture at the newly-upgraded Zomba Stadium, adding further spice to the ‘Super Sunday’ showdown.
“It’s the first time to play a competitive game there, but we had a friendly game there, so the players know the pitch. Of course it’s different from the pitch that we have been playing on at Kamuzu Stadium, but all the same we’ve got no choice, we need to adapt. I am very sure that the guys are ready to play there and I think there’s no problem at all,” said Mpinganjira.
The Nomads, who are on position nine with six points from three matches and a game in hand, have maintained most of the squad from last season that clinched the league title and also added a few.
Mpinganjira hinted at possible changes to his squad, citing the depth available in the team.
“We have got a very huge squad and all the players are very good, so we need to make sure that they are having at least some game time.
“So we definitely do those changes especially according to the game which we are playing, so possibly I should say that we have some changes,” he said.
On the injury front, the Wanderers coach confirmed that Timothy Silwimba, Clement Nyondo and Peter Cholopi have returned to training, although they remain doubtful for the weekend encounter.
“They have just trained for maybe two weeks with the squad, so we want to give them ample time to get themselves fit. So, it’s very doubtful if they can be selected over the weekend,” he said.
Meanwhile, Silver coach Peter Mgangira says his side is equally prepared for what promises to be one of the biggest matches of the weekend.
“It has been a very good week. The preparations have been very good and the response from the players has also been good. There is a lot of competition because everybody wants to play,” he said.
Straight from deposing Masters from the top of the table after handing them their first defeat this season, Mgangira said the morale I high.
“We are motivated. It is always good to play against the best and if you want to be the best, you must make sure you get a positive result,” he said.
But Mgangira described Wanderers as one of the strongest and most experienced sides in the league, especially after retaining much of last season’s title-winning squad while also strengthening further.
“They have maintained most of their previous squad and also beefed up. So, it is never going to be easy. But we are ready. The players look sharp, they are positive and the morale is very high in camp,” he said.
