Angry Civo host Silver
The pride of Lilongwe football Civo United are bitter, angry and hungry with themselves for watering down their status as Silver Strikers’ main cross town rivals.
Therefore, Civo coach Oscar Kaunda, whose return last year has stabilised the team, hopes to translate that anger into positive energy when hosting the Bankers at Civo Stadium in a TNM Super League second- round derby today.
It has been three full seasons since Civo last defeated Silver, who have over the years, gone on to dominate all matches against their rivals.
“It hurts to keep on playing second fiddle to Silver. We have kept on losing to them at home and away. We are bitter. But this year, we are ready to turn it around as we managed to hold them 0-0 at their home ground in the first-round,” Kaunda explained.
The coach, whose side lies sixth on 27 points from 18 games and can rise to fourth, has a full strength squad ready for battle under the captainship of Flames right-back John Lanjesi.
“I am encouraged by the attitude of the players. They are in good shape and form,” explained Kaunda.
Silver squad is full of former Civo players such as Young Chimodzi Junior, Chawanangwa Kawonga and Frank Banda, which means that the Civil Servants have an insiders’ knowledge. Lanjesi leads the squad with fine-attacking talents such as Jabulani Linje and Blessings Kawanga in midfield.
The Bankers, despite being docked nine points at the start of the season for causing violence last season, are eyeing a top-three finish or even the championship, vowed coach Stan ‘Madala’ Chirwa.
The Silver coach can further be encouraged by Civo poor home form of four defeats and a draw with four wins. The Bankers are eighth on the league table on 21 points from 17 games and can jump to seventh if they win.
If not careful, Kawonga could end up punishing his former employers. The boy with deadly runs and breath-taking pace can be a nuisance to defenders. Silver are smarting from an impressive weekend after picking four points on the road whereas Civo also won last weekend.
