TNM Super League first round wrapping up today

Two teams which have the advantage of winning the first half of the 2023 TNM Super League, FCB Nyasa Big Bullets and Silver Strikers are wrapping their first round today as they are both playing their last games.

Kalisto Pasuwa’s men are playing at Kamuzu Stadium but they are away as Mighty Tigers decide to host the reigning Champions at the Soccermeca while the Bankers are on the road searching for maximum points.

Tigers vs Bullets

The game between Mighty Tigers and FCB Nyasa Big Bullets is one of the iconic fixtures on the land as it is dated to the year when the league started.

The Kau-Kau boys were the third team to taste the league glory in 1988 after Bullets and Civo United.

However, financial constraints have been barring the team from expressing its potential threat in the elite league since the departure of Azam Company.

The Kanjedza based side are struggling for consistency this season as they rocked in the relegation zone with just 13 points from 14 games.

When they face heavyweights, Tigers always fight for the ball and they held both Silver Strikers and Mighty Mukuru Wanderers earlier this first round.

Tigers have had bad outings against the 16-time Champions as their last victory is dated to 2011 in the first round when they recorded a 3-0 win before Bullets staged a revenge in the second round as they came from behind to snatch a win in the last six minutes.

Timothy Nyirenda scored for the Tigers in the first half but Henry Kabichi levelled the scores from the penalty spot before late Douglas Chirambo scored the winner in the stoppage time.

In 2012, Bullets beat Tigers twice with Gabadinho Mhango bagging braces in both matches but the fixture produced no winners in 2013. A goalless stalemate in the first round was followed by a 1-all stalemate in the second half with Chimango Kayira and Lawrence Milanzi on the score-sheet for Bullets and Tigers respectively.

In 2014, Bullets collected four points over Tigers after a 1-all stalemate in the first round as Diverson Mlozi scored for the people’s team while Stanley Sanudi was in target for the Kau-Kau boys. Jaffali Chande and Tizgowere Kumwenda were on target in the second round as Bullets won 2-0.

The people’s team completed a double over Tigers in 2015. Jaffali Chande scored in both legs. A 2-1 win in the first round was followed by another 2-1 win in the second round. Mussah Manyenje was another scorer in the first round witj Mika Chitani scoring for Tigers.

Diverson Mlozi cancelled Precious Phiri’s strike in the first round when the two teams settled for a 1-all stalemate and it was a barren draw in the second round.

Muhhamad Sulumba scored twice when Bullets beat Tigers in 2017 in the first round before Mike Mkwate and Nelson Kangunje scored a goal each in the second round.

Nelson Kangunje, Patrick Phiri and Bright Munthali were in target when Bullets thumped Tigers 3-0 in 2018 and Chiukepo Msowoya, Bright Munthali scored a goal each in the second round when Bullets recorded a 2-0 win.

Shasimbiwe Kanyika scored for Tigers while Sankhani Mkandawire was on target for Bullets when they settled for a one-all stalemate before Luke Chima’s strike earned Bullets all the points in the second round of the 2019 season.

Bullets have scored 13 goals against Tigers in their last four meetings with their biggest win coming last season when they thumped Abambo Alufandika’s boys 5-0.

Overall, since 2008, FCB Nyasa Big Bullets have beaten Tigers 22 times, losing five times and seven games have been ending in stalemate.

Pasuwa cautions his charges against underrating Tigers

Despite failing to win a single game in their last five outings, FCB Nyasa Big Bullets Head Coach, Kalisto Pasuwa believes that Mighty Tigers can still come hard on them.

Mighty Tigers last victory was in June when Precious Chiudza’s strike earned them full points against Moyale Barracks and they have lost four games before holding Blue Eagles in their previous game.

Speaking to the Club’s Media, Kalisto Pasuwa said his charges need to put effort in order for them to finish the first half of the season on a high note.

“It’s always good to finish on a high note,” said Pasuwa. “The boys need to give maximum effort. Remember, these teams will always come hard on us.

“We have been winning games against Tigers but if you see and analyze the games, we have been winning by either free-kicks or corners. But that’s a team that has been giving us a tough time. We expect a tough game when we face them. We don’t need to underrate them,” added Pasuwa.

At least six players will not be available for selection on Wednesday when FCB Nyasa Big Bullets wrap up their first half of the 2023 TNM Super League with an away game against Mighty Tigers.

The Great Kali, Head Coach for Bullets said at least six players are nursing injuries.

Alick Lungu, Mike Mkwate, Ernest Petro, Stanley Billiati are some of the players who have been sidelined for Wednesday’s game.

“Our total number of injuries goes up to six, seven. We have [Alick] Lungu, [Stanley] Billiati who is having a knee [injury], [Mike] Mkwate and Ernest Petro are all out injured,” said Pasuwa.

Ready to face the Champions

Mighty Tigers Technical Director, Robbin Alufandika said they are ready to face FCB Nyasa Big Bullets this afternoon.

“This is a big game. Bullets is a big game, we are not only a team that struggle to beat them but they also know that we are team “mbambande”. People should come to watch the beautiful game,” said Alufandika.

Moyale Barracks vs Silver Strikers

The Central Bankers are returning to the pitch that Pieter De Jongh has been hating this season claiming that even his small dog can’t allow to play on it.

Their last visit to Mzuzu Stadium, Silver Strikers lost to Moyale Barracks in the FDH Bank Cup on penalties and they are eager to stage revenge.

Both teams are coming from defeats. Moyale Barracks were the latest recipient of Chitipa United’s anger while Silver Strikers lost to their arch rivals, Civil Service United.

Any slip up to the defending Champions, Silver will have a chance of finishing on the top of the table in the first round should they beat the Lions of Kaning’ina.

Silver Strikers have won 14 games against Moyale Barracks, losing 8 and drawing 14 times.

Last season, Rodwell Robert’s strike was enough for the Bankers to earn all the points over Moyale in Mzuzu after a goalless draw in the first round at Silver stadium.

Silver thumped Moyale 5-1 in the first round of the 2020 season before Moyale recorded a 2-0 win at Mzuzu Stadium.

In 2019, each team used their home ground advantage as Silver Strikers won 1-0 at Silver stadium with Khudah Muyaba on target while Lloyd Njaliwa and Deus Mkutu scored for Moyale in the second round.

In two consecutive seasons, 2017 and 2018 the fixtures produced no winners with three games ending in barren stalemate while one game ended in a 1-all draw with Victor Limbani scoring for Silver while Timothy Nyirenda scored for Moyale.

The Bankers completed a double over Moyale in 2016 after a 1-0 win in Mzuzu and 3-1 win in Lilongwe.

Idana, Macheso sidelined for Moyale’s game

The Central Bankers have travelled to Mzuzu without their two midfield maestros, Chimwemwe Idana and Patrick Macheso.

However, the Club hasn’t justified the reason behind their motive to omit the two midfielders from their squad.

Since returning from the Cosafa Cup, both Idana and Macheso have missed two games and Silver have been struggling.

A 1-0 defeat to Mighty Wanderers was followed by a brutal defeat to Moyale Barracks in the FDH Bank Cup.

The two returned to the field of actions when the team beat Extreme FC and they were both on target. Idana also scored the consolation goal when Silver lost to Civil.

Meanwhile, media reports say that Idana’s contract at Silver Strikers has expired on July 31 but some inside sources are still playing down the reports.