Top of the table clashes: Wanderers host Bullets as Chitipa invades Area 47

By Antony Isaiah Jr……

The 2023 TNM Super League is slowly reaching climax as battle for maximum points, bragging rights and supremacy continues.

The focus on week 11 is on the much-awaited Blantyre Derby involving cross town rivals Mighty Mukuru Wanderers and FCB Nyasa Big Bullets at Kamuzu Stadium with both teams seeking redemption to stay on course in their pursuit for the league title.

Both Blantyre giants are struggling for consistency this season.
For instance last weekend Bullets for the second time this season failed to score in a league match as they were to a goaless draw against a resilient Kamuzu Barracks while the nomads were held to a 1-1 draw at home against a less fancied Dedza Dynamos at home(Kamuzu Stadium).

Both Coaches, Kalisto Pasuwa for Bullets and Mark Harrison for Wanderers have played down the impact of previous results going into this Saturday’s derby match.

“My boys shouldnt consider them as a weaker side because they drew last week. When playing against us, they can put up maximum performance.

“Every player needs to be in Derby mood. As Bullets, we know what we want and each one in the house shouldn’t take them lightly”, stated Bullets mentor Pasuwa in his pre-match interview.
According to Pasuwa he is well aware that the nomads will come hard on them to prove a point that they are still in the title race despite the setbacks suffered in recent weeks.

“Am expecting a very charged Wanderers and I know the aggression which is there. It’s very unfortunate that supporters pounced on them last week but we are the ones on the pitch and we wouldn’t go to lose because we also want the salaries from the games as part of our job.

All the time we have been playing them, they have been close to us and a team that will have positive mind will carry the day. We need to be serious about this game.”,said Pasuwa.

On his part Wanderers gaffer Mark Harrison said they need to beat Bullets and keep themselves in the title race.

“We are looking forward to it [the Blantyre Derby].

The history of the last three weeks plays no part in this game. We are going for it.We know that we are a good team and we have a very good squad.

“Without a doubt, we can beat them. People are just looking into recent results but our performance hasn’t been that bad. We have been dominating games, we have been creating a lot of chances but we are just failing to convert them into goals. We need to win the game and get ourselves back on track because if we win the game, we are going level on points with Bullets,” he added.
With the Blantyre derby comes an icing to the cake as both teams have dangled a 100 thousand Kwacha bonus to the players for a win and for Wanderers it’s more than sweeter as club Chairperson Thom Mpinganjira has promised a further 100 thousand Kwacha for any goal scorer by the Lali Lubani outfit.

Bullets are second on the table with 21 points, 3 adrift leaders Silver Strikers while Mighty Mukuru Wanderers are third in on the log table with 18 points from 10 games.

Since 2008, the two teams have met 60 times and FCB Nyasa Big Bullets have 21 wins while Wanderers have 14 wins.

However, for the past 10 years, Wanderers have only managed to beat Bullets once in League.

Elsewhere on Saturday, Silver Strikers will be hoping to continue their unbeaten streak as they host giant killers, Chitipa United at Civo Stadium in a game that was initially planned to be hosted at Bingu National Stadium.

The Central Bankers are coming from a convincing 4-0 victory over Karonga United while Chitipa United are coming from a 1-0 defeat to Dedza Dynamos Salima Sugar in the FDH Bank Cup game.

The Dutchman said he expects a good game but says Silver Strikers need to continue with their current level of performance.

De Jongh said Chitipa United has proved to be a good side as they managed to get maximum points against FCB Nyasa Big Bullets and Mighty Mukuru Wanderers.

“We are on the right track and this track is long since the league is a marathon. We are playing a good opponent on Saturday which has quality but we are also in good shape we respect our opponent”, he said.

Providing team news, De Jongh said he has a few knocks in the squad but he will have a good assessment of who will not make it by tomorrow.

“We trained today therefore the medical team will be assessing the players from this afternoon therefore by the end of tomorrow we will see who is available for Saturday.” said De Jongh.

On his part, Macdonald Nginde Mtetemera said it’s now time for De Jongh to know Malawi Football and he is hopeful that his charges will give it all to earn points.

“It’s time for De Jongh to know Malawi’s Football. We are going there with the aim of getting points,” he stated.

Chitipa United are fourth with 16 points from 10 games.

In other games, Red Lions will be hoping to recover from their 2-1 defeat to Blue Eagles as they facing struggling Karonga United while Moyale Barracks will take on bottom-placed Extreme FC.