De Jongh concerned with Nankhaka’s pitch condition

By Antony Isaiah Jr……

Silver Strikers Dutch Coach, Pieter De Jongh said his charges are ready to break the Blue Eagles’ curse as they travel to Nankhaka on Saturday but had issues with the conditions of the pitch.

The game between Silver Strikers and Blue Eagles have have emerged as one of the finest and biggest fixtures in Lilongwe and Malawi at large.

Blue Eagles have so far leapfrogged Civil Service United who used to have the interest-catching rivalry with the eight-time Super League Champions, Silver Strikers following their recent renaissance.
Despite registering 17 wins in their last 40 meetings, six more than their defeats to Blue Eagles, Silver Strikers recently have been digging to get points over the Area 30-based Cops.

Under the titulage of Dutchman, Pieter De Jongh, the Central Bankers are looking promising as their style of play that they are well-known with, umodziumodzi, resurfaced in their 1-all stalemate against the defending Champions.

Blue Eagles have managed to amass 9 points from the possible 9 against the Bankers, Silver collected maximum points over the Eagles back in 2020 when Stain Davie’s strike handed them a 1-0 win at Nankhaka.
That win came after sweating for two years as prior to that victory, the Bankers last won against Eagles back in 2018 courtesy of Zikani Kasambara.

Unlike last season, Eagles have this season started on a slower pace. By this time, Eagles had 3 points.

The short-coming of former Bullets Vice-Captain, Chimwemwe Idana might have brought balance in the team, together with Chikondi Kamanga, Emmanuel Kaunga, Gift Chunga, Silver might be in the pole position to get their third win over Cops in 14 games.

Addressing the media during the delayed pre-match press conference, the former AFC Leopards mentor said his charges played a very good game against the Champions of the last four years, thereby hogging hopes that a win at Nankhaka Stadium is possible.

“Am not looking in the past,” said De Jongh. “We are not leaving in the past, we are always looking in the future. I think we are in the right way. We have respect for Blue Eagles.

“We played a very good side, the champions of the league for the past four years. I was excited with the performance of the players. We are in good shape, and ready to play good football but we never know, we are facing a strong opponents.

“But it is very difficult to play against 12 players.

“Against Blue Eagles it will be a difficult game because they are a team that was second in the league. Am just happy with the motivation of the players after playing Bullets, we are in good shape.

“We can win from any team and we can lose to any team. There is competition in the selection and our confidence is good.

“I will take things in the right way and players will play the best football that I want, like strong on the ball , more movements and others “.

The Dutchman only expressed his worries on the Geographical feature of the Nankhaka stadium that it is not a good stadium to play.
In his speach , De Jongh said the ground is not big, long, flat and the pich is not clean.

“In Africa, alot of pitches are not good, they are not clean. Nankhaka is not long, flat and not big enough, this gives the home team an advantage, ” added De Jongh.

Eliya Kananji, who is the Couch for the Eagles who finished on the second last season said they are ready and well organized because their forcus is to win the championship despite their first game draw against Red Lions.

The rejuvation of Micium Mhone who was named the man of the match in Eagles’ league opener might haunt the Bankers. Shipping in only 10 goals in 30 games last season, proved that the Eagles were the Club with the most “rock” at the back.

“According to the way our players are doing in the camp I hope that we will win if they will not change their playing system, and it’s a big game since our friends have got an English Couch , but we will make it” said Kananji.

Both are meeting with 1 point each resulting from their first game draw , Blue Eagles was against Red Lions and Siliver Strikers was against FCB Nyasa Big Bullets.