“Silver is playing tougher opponents than Bullets, Wanderers” – Silver coach

By Antony Isaiah Jr.….

Silver Strikers Coach Pieter De Jongh has lambasted the Super League of Malawi on the fixture saying that his team is facing tough opponents while others are playing flimsy teams.

De Jongh who is in his first season in Malawi said he started with the Champions [FCB Nyasa Big Bullets ] before playing the runners-up [Blue Eagles] and then Silver Strikers while Bullets and Wanderers are playing against weaker teams.

The Dutchman made the remarks during the pre-match press conference which took place at the Club’s offices on Thursday morning.

“Bullets are playing a weaker side, Wanderers have a nice schedule as well. They started at home, we started at home but against the Champions and then we played the runners-up.

“Am not complaining, but stats do not lie. I respect every opponents but we can say that Wanderers, Bullets have weaker programs than ours. We can say that the committee of the Super League is giving us a tough program. Yes, you need to play 30 games but I can say that our program is tougher.

“Bullets have played two games, an there is an easy opponent, Wanderers are playing a weaker opponents, ” said De Jongh.

Meanwhile, FCB Nyasa Big Bullets started the title defence with an away game against Silver Strikers before thumping Mafco FC 4-0 at home and they are also back on the road to play the Super League rookies, Extreme FC in Lilongwe.

On the part of Mighty Mukuru Wanderers, they started their campaign against Civil Service United who managed to scoop four points over them last season before taking on Red Lions and they are at home this weekend against Ekwendeni Hammers who are yet to concede a goal this season.

Silver Strikers came from behind to snatch a point at home against FCB Nyasa Big Bullets before beating Blue Eagles in their second game of the season.

The Bankers are taking on Red Lions, a side that have started on slow note this campaign.

They have a point from two games and they coming from a drubbing 3-0 defeat to the leaders, Mighty Mukuru Wanderers in a game that Christopher Jakama Kumwembe plundered all the three goals.

The Bankers have recorded 23 wins over the Zomba based Soldiers against their 9 while 7 games have ended in stalemate.

The last time Lions bagged three points away from home against Silver Strikers was in 2012 when Dickson Mbetewa’s strike was enough for the Soldiers to beat Silver.

De Jongh on facing the struggling Malawi Defence Force sponsored side said his charges are on the right track and with the condition of Bingu National Stadium, they can scoop the maximum points.

“There is no excuse. We have prepared well for the game. Of course, after the game against Blue Eagles, we have the players day off, to rest. We regrouped on Monday and we have been training two times a day.

“It’s a difficult game because every team in team in the league can win from everyone. That’s also the fact for us, we can win from any team and we can lose to any team. It is important to focus on yourself and respect the opponents. We are playing at home because we are playing at the National Stadium which is a long pitch and the right one.

“We are on the right track, two matches, four points. We respect Red Lions. The atmosphere, the mood is good,” added the Coach.

Providing team news, the Coach revealed that both Chimwemwe Idana and Chikondi Kamanga are doubts for the game.

The two arguably best midfield pair have been the pillars of the team in their last two games and picked knocks in Silver Strikers’ 1-0 win over Blue Eagles last week and might join Nixon Mwase on sideline who is serving his three-game suspension after being sent off in the same game.

“We have one suspension [which is Nixon Mwase] and two injuries,” said the tactician. “Captain Chikondi Kamanga and Chimwemwe Idana are doubts for the game. They have respective injuries. This will seriously affect us. Its Thursday, its 50-50, we will see on Friday, Saturday on whether they will be available or not.”

De Jongh praised his boys saying that they displayed good football in their game against Blue Eagles.

However, the tactician complained about the play of their opponents who likened them to Rugby describing that Blue Eagles were not playing football but were there to fight that’s why players picked injuries.

“We played very well and we were the best team but our opponents were not sure for football and the referee and others officials failed to manage the game because they were giving wrong decisions and very late.

“On the red card of my player [Mwase], it was a stupid decision. Yes, the behaviour of my player was not good but the referee and the lines man had to look at what caused the situation. The red card was stupid, but it was a bad behaviour from my player. Of course, he will receive a fine for that,” added De Jongh.

The head Coach also said he is happy that they will play at home their next game against the Red Lions.