WEEK 2 PREVIEW 1: Wanderers on the road, Silver, Eagles rekindle rivalry in a Township battle

WEEK 2 PREVIEW 1: Wanderers on the road, Silver, Eagles rekindle rivalry in a Township battle……

By Antony Isaiah Jr……

It’s never-ending attention-demanding battles in the TNM Super League. The first week saw only three wins registered, three losses also. There were 7 draws in one.

The Blue Moon rose as the Nomads, Mighty Mukuru Wanderers made a winning start with their head coach, Mark Simon Harrison in his first full season by beating Civil Service United. Silver Strikers and FCB Nyasa Big Bullets shared spoils while Blue Eagles who were the runners-up last season had to let their 1-0 lead slipping off at home against Red Lions.

Mighty Mukuru Wanderers have the chance extending their winning start to this campaign as they are travelling, for the first this season, to Balaka Stadium to face Red Lions who thanked Humphreys Minandi’s goal to collect a point against Eagles whom thrashed them 4-1 almost 365 days ago.

Silver Strikers and Blue Eagles are revitalising their rivalry at Balaka Stadium while the North Northern Malawi Derby between Karonga United and Chitipa United looms.

Another mouth-watering fixture is at Mpira Village as Bangwe All Stars welcome Mighty Tigers on the same day.

BLUE EAGLES VS SILVER STRIKERS

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 four 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. Exactly a year ago, they vowed to win the 2022 TNM Super League after going rampage on Lions, only to lose the title to Kalisto Pasuwa’s Nyasa Big Bullets who had extended their total collections of the championship to 16, two more times than the second-placed team on the list since its inception in 1986.

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.

However, 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.

Silver Strikers might need to change their style of play of playing most of the times in their half to playing in the offensive zone to break the stubborn defence of their opposition.

RED LIONS VS MIGHTY MUKURU WANDERERS

Their embarrassing 5-1 defeat to FCB Nyasa Big Bullets in a friendly game, 4-0 loss to Bangwe All Stars, Red Lions instilled wrong suggestions in football lovers.

They travelled all the way to the Capital City. They conceded first but with hope and fighting spirit, Red Lions have a point in their bag.

Next is a tough game against the Nomads, argued to be the team that has glued a squad with experience and talents that made their goal clear thus season, fighting for everything up for grab, their President, Thomson Mpinganjira told the players during the official unveiling of their new sponsorship in Blantyre.

Wanderers have had good run of results over Red Lions. 15 wins in 34 games, losing only 8 shows their dominance in the fixture.

Red Lions can scratch their heads to remember their last win over the six-time Super League. In fact, the Nomads have good record against the Malawi Defence Force sponsored teams.

Royo Bokosi scored the only goal in 2018 when Lions stun Wanderers at Balaka Stadium, a win that came after 4 years as forgotten Mphatso Ngwira’s penalty strike gave the Zomba based Soldiers a victory in 2014 at Kamuzu Stadium.

At the back of beating Civil Service United will be looking to maintain their winning start and return to Blantyre with maximum
points while Red side will be eager to scoop their first win this season and whiten their records over the Blues.

Will it be a blue or red day? Obviously, the ones to play their cards well will be the winners, if powers will be equal, then points will be shared.

KARONGA UNITED VS CHITIPA UNITED

Two teams from the far-Northern part of Malawi, one who have stayed in the league for years while another one has been an off and on member of the league.

Karonga United since repromoted into the league after winning the Northern Region Football League in 2018 have established themselves as one of the biggest teams in North, registering impressive wins along the process.

However, despite their long stay in the league, Karonga United are still unearthing their first win over their neighbours in the tnm Super League. Their only win over the Lions of Forthills came in a friendly match in 2019.

Chitipa United will be looking to continue with their good result against Ingwina despite starting the campaign on a slower pace, losing 2-1 to Mafco in the league opener.

Karonga United played a 1-all stalemate against Moyale Barracks in their first game at Mzuzu Stadium.

BANGWE ALL STARS VS MIGHTY TIGERS

An all-Blantyre tie, one from the winning start, one from collecting a draw against a well-organized team.

The Super League debutants, Bangwe All Stars with a portion of experienced players in the name of Chimango Kayira, Bongani Kaipa, Ernest Kakhobwe, Sunganani Geoffrey, and Michael Teteh are a well-galvanized side that can be capable of causing an upset to any team in the league.

Mighty Tigers beat another league toddler, Extreme FC 1-0 through George Chaomba’s strike and will try to hit the ground and get points against Bangwe to extend their winning streak.

FCB Nyasa Big Bullets loanee, Chikumbutso Salima’s strike was not enough for Mphatso Jika’s Bangwe to collect points in the Central Region when they played a 1-all draw against Dedza Dynamos in the Super League in their second season.

Actions continue on Sunday with Bullets welcoming Mafco at Home, Civo at home against Extreme, Ekwendeni Hammers in action against Moyale Barracks, and Dedza Dynamos dating Kamuzu Barracks.