Civo, Tigers, Eagles battle for Standard Bank contest

While Silver Strikers, Big Bullets and Blantyre United are fighting for TNM Super League honours, another battle has ensued in the league.

With three games to go and each having 42 points, Mighty Wanderers and Red Lions, have realistic chances of finishing in the top six and qualify for the Standard Bank Knockout Trophy.

They only need to win two of their remaining games.

On the other hand, Civo, Blue Eagles and Azam Tigers need to win all their games to qualify for the competition. Eagles have 40 points while Civo and Tigers have 38 points each.

What makes the battle more interesting is that the three teams will play each other.

“We have an advantage in that we will be playing the two remaining games against Big Bullets and Blue Eagles at home. We just need to use home ground advantage to beat them. It will be tough because Bullets are fighting for the title while Eagles also want to be among the top six,” said Civo caretaker coach Thom Mkorongo.

Eagles, who last year finished outside the top six but played in the Standard Bank Knockout Trophy by virtue of being defending champions, said they cannot afford to lose out this time around.

They will host Red Lions and Tigers at Nankhaka ground.

“I think we are in a better position to make it into the top six as we will be playing at home. It is great that we won against Bvumbwe Research and now we have to beat Civo. It will be difficult, but we hope the other teams will drop points as well,” said Eagles general secretary Ackis Muwanga.

Tigers technical director Robin Alufandika, whose team has the other away game against Kamuzu Barracks and a home game against Blantyre United, said they will work hard to qualify.

“We do not need to put ourselves at the mercy of Standard Bank customers. It makes our position hard. We have told the boys to work hard and win all the games so as to be on the safer side,” said Alufandika.