TNM Super League Day 1

Preview: TNM Super League Day 1………

By Antony Isaiah Jr……..

Different from last season’s edition, there are new bosses in offices after Fleetwood Haiya defeated Tiya Somba-Banda for the Super League of Malawi Presidency, TNM hiked the sponsorship, yes the most anticipated season rolls out today.

Though the official launch of the season will take place at the Bingu National Stadium as Silver Strikers are welcoming the reining champions, FCB Nyasa Big Bullets, there are other three mouth-watering fixtures in three regions.

Moyale Barracks are welcoming Karonga United at Mzuzu Stadium, Extreme FC are in the commercial City to face Mighty Tigers while Chitipa United travel to Salima to face Mafco FC

Silver Strikers vs FCB Nyasa Big Bullets

This for ages has been regarded as one of the biggest fixtures on the land with 24 League titles shares between the two heavyweights.

The Central Bankers have been enduring rough path last season after finishing empty-handed and starting with a home match gives them a chance to kick-start their campaign in a better way, though they are playing at Bingu National Stadium as their Stadium failed Football Association of Malawi’s test.

Silver Strikers recruited the new coach, an expatriate who also had spells in Kenya with AFC Leopards, and also in Zimbabwe. Pieter De Jongh, popularly known as the Champs will face the Great Kali, Kalisto Pasuwa who has been shining since arriving in the country in 2018.

Despite what may seem to be at stake in Saturday’s game like Supremacy, points, we’re likely to see both managers, the Dutchman and The Zimbabwean avoid pulling any surprises with their squad selections and tactics.

De Jongh in his first season will need to make sure that Silver Strikers continue with their good recordbook at Bingu National Stadium against FCB Nyasa Big Bullets.

Bullets’ last away win against Silver Strikers is dated back to December 2019 when Chimwemwe Idana who was playing for the Club before joining the opposite side earlier this year scored the decisive goal that pumped the people’s team to the championship.

They could have grabbed their first win at Bingu National Stadium against Silver last season when they failed to hold on to their slender lead with 20 minutes to go as Patrick Macheso scored an equalising goal after 70 minutes to make it 2-all.

In their last 59 meetings, Bullets have managed to walk away with their faces smiling 25 times while Silver Strikers beat Bullets 18 times with 16 games ending in stalemate.

Only Silver Strikers have managed to beat FCB Nyasa Big Bullets more than any other team (6) in the Country since the appointment of Kalisto Pasuwa as the Head coach for the people’s team.

Chimwemwe Idana who failed to extend his stay at Bullets will for the first time playing against his old bosses since joining the Club through the Reserve ranks.

De Jongh has described the Flames playmaker as a player with top mentality and leadership and all eyes will be on him as the Central Bankers will be eager to gather hopes in the forthcoming season after enduring a tough spell last year.

“Idana is a good and top player,” said De Jongh. “Idana is a good player who is technically and tactically good, [he] can score a goal, can come in the box, can give assists, absolutely top player.”

Ahead of the game, De Jongh said his charges are more than ready but has appealed to the referees to handle the game in a professional manner.

“Am just respecting Bullets because they have been the champions of this Ligue for more years but am ready with my people. We are in good mood, very good shape, and there is a big improvement in alot of areas, physical, tactical. Am excited and my only worry is the officiation. They need to be fair with their decisions,” he said.

Maxwell Gasten Phodo who scored an early goal when Bullets took the ride in a premium fare against Mighty Mukuru Wanderers in a Charity Shield Cup game will return to his former bosses since leaving the City towards the end of last season.

He was the Club’s top goal-scorer in the season before last season after pillaging 14 goals in the tnm Super League.

In the near past, Bullets have been relying on promoting players from their Reserve side but this season Pasuwa changed the story, he has fished players who already have experience in the league including three foreign ones.

Chawanangwa Gumbo from Ekwendeni Hammers, Maxwell Phodo, Ephraim Kondowe and the return of Mike Mkwate make their transfer window marked great.They signed two Kenyan defenders, Collins Odhiambo Ukumu and Clyde Senaji Navade on free transfer, Nigerian goal-poacher, Chinedu Philip Okafor and Pasuwa’s son, Kenneth Pasuwa.

The Head Coach has challenged the players at the Club to perform and give people the picture that they are better than the last season’s team.

“We brought in players like Clyde Senaji, Collins Okumu and we’re also having youngsters like Ephraim [Kondowe], [Maxwell] Phodo as well, who are new into the system and we need them to master whatever we do whenever we are playing,” said Pasuwa.

“It cannot be a better team than the previous one just because the previous squad won almost everything and for the current team to prove to me that they are better than their predecessors, they should have to show that on the ground. In football, you can go and buy Ronaldo, but when he comes on the pitch, it’s a different Ronaldo that you know. So, I am saying it’s performance first, then we see whether you can go over that one we had before.”

On the other hand, Silver Strikers re-signed their former striker, Atusaye Nyondo, China Chirwa from TN Stars, Gift Chunga from Ekwendeni Hammers after losing players like Chawanangwa Kaonga who joined Zanaco FC, Levison Maganizo among others.

Moyale Barracks vs Karonga United

A North Malawi Derby, the Lions who are the Kings of Jungle facing the Crocodiles, yes a cracking afternoon it promises to be.

Though the preparations of the two teams haven’t been good as Karonga United failed to clinch the Northern Region Bonanza, Moyale Barracks pulled out of the Bonanza.

But the two teams will face each other with new faces in their squads. Moyale have signed the likes of Henry Misinjo, Mphatso Kasonga, George Nyirenda among others while Karonga United also signed players but from second tie league.

Karonga United last bagged maximum points over Moyale at Mzuzu back in 2019 when Clement Nyondo who is now in Dedza Dynamos camp scored the only goal and they have failed to repeat the feat in their last two attempts, losing both games.

Moyale Barracks have 9 wins over their fellow Northerners while Karonga have 3 with 4 games ending in stalemate.

Karonga’s assistant coach, Luka ‘Bruno’ Milanzie who dumped Kadona Stars earlier this year said his charges are ready to face the test.

“We had challenges like failing to score and the likes and I believe that as of now, we are in good shape, ready for the game,” said Milanzi.

Mighty Tigers vs Extreme FC

Pumped by their performance in the Northern Region Bonanza where they grabbed it after being invited as the guests, Extreme FC are in the Commercial City, they are facing the 1987 Super League Champions.

Tigers for the last two season have been fighting for survival but they have been having bright starts.

They are facing a new side that they haven’t faced ever.

Extreme FC updates through their Facebook page saying there in Blantyre for a mission, which is collecting maximum points and start the season in high spirits.

MAFCO vs Chitipa United

A return to the elite league for Chitipa United have been welcomed by the Salima based Soldiers, Mafco FC.

Chitipa unveiled their kit on 13th April, and they are facing a side that have recently secured a sponsorship from Standard Bank, off the field things look good, but what will happen on field?

Chitipa have three wins over Mafco, 2 in Super League and one in 2018 Fisd Challenge Cup while Mafco have two wins.