Super League returns, Bullets, Moyale, Silver playing home

After 2-week break, Malawi’s top flight league, the tnm Super League second round rolls out this weekend as teams are looking to fight for the championship while others are striving for survival.

The defending Champions League leaders, Nyasa Big Bullets, Moyale Barracks and Silver Strikers are kicking off their second phase of the league with home matches.

In Blantyre, today’s afternoon, the soccer fanatics will be flocking to the Kamuzu Stadium to watch an intense and entertaining game as the peoples team welcome the Chioko boys, Kamuzu Barracks.

Kamuzu Barracks who sit fifth on the 16-team member table with 26 points proved to be a good team to Nyasa Big Bullets when the two teams faced each other at Civo Stadium in Lilongwe on June 26, 2022, in the first round.

However, Bullets relied on the individual brilliance of Babatunde Adepoj who scored an impeccable goal just 15 minutes from full time after connecting the cross from right-back, Gomezgan Chirwa to give his team a much-needed win.

While the area 23-based Soldiers are going to seek revenge, it might not come easily as per history between the two sides.

Kamuzu Barracks are yet to register a victory at Kamuzu Stadium since their promotion into the elite League in 2011 from the Chipiku Central Region.

KB have faced Bullets 23rd times and they have a record of 4 wins and 4 draws losing 15 fixtures in all competitions.

However, the peoples team are going into the game without their four key plays in the name of Chimwemwe Idana, Kesten Simbi, Richard Chimbamba and Anthony Mfune.

The big concern for Kalisto Pasuwa is his two key players, Idana and Simbi whose replacements can prove to be not an easy task against a well-organised team.

Vice Captain Chimwemwe Idana and Simbi have been in sensational form since the start of this season and they are the only players how have played more minutes for the Ndirande based team.

While expressing his worries on the missing players, Bullets head coach, Kalisto Pasuwa says it’s an opportunity for other players to show their class.

“We are building this team around Idana so missing him and his colleagues are going to be a hit but it’s a chance for others to prove to us their worthy,” said Pasuwa

Pasuwa says his charges are ready to start the second round on a high note.

He said, “We are facing a very physical side, a team full of effort and they try to win every ball or even in tassels so it’s a game that we need to take it seriously for us to get the results.”

Meanwhile, Kamuzu Barracks have not provided an injury concern but they have promoted four players from their Reserve team to the Senior team.

Samson Chiponda, Olson Chilenje, Darlington Bisika, Blessings Chimbaza, Francisco Kamdzeka are the players who have invited Charles Kamanga’s eyes.

Charles Kamanga says their record of collecting more points away from home gives them the confidence to beat Bullets at Kamuzu.

Kamanga said, “This is our first game in the second round. We need the win at all costs and we are confident of winning the game. We have collected more points on road than at home this season.”

Nyasa Big Bullets are on 9 games winning fleck and they are yet to sniff the smell of defeat this season while Kamuzu Barracks have already tasted three defeats this season. They lost 2-1 to Dedza Dynamos, 3-0 to Silver before 1-0 to Bullets.

Elsewhere, Silver Strikers who sit fourth on the table with 26 points will welcome the Salima-based soldiers, Mafco FC.

Moyale Barracks will take on the struggling Mighty Tigers are on 8 games without a win as their came win dated back to May 7, 2022 when they beat TN Stars 1-0 at Kasungu Stadium.

The Lions of Kaning’ina are on number 9 with 17 points while Mighty Tigers sit 12th with 15 points.

Actions continue on Sunday with Wanderers taking on TN Stars, Sable dating Dedza, Karonga Up against Blue Eagles, Rumphi United will host Ekwendeni Hammers while Civo lock horns against Red Lions.