Eagles, Bullets get stern tests

TNM Super League pace-setters Blue Eagles and second-placed Nyasa Big Bullets get stern tests this afternoon as they seek to maintain their unbeaten runs.

The Malawi Police Service side hosts in-form Mighty Waka Waka Tigers at Nankhaka Stadium tomorrow while the People’s Team are on the road to Lilongwe to face Civil Service (Civo) United this afternoon at Civo Stadium.

The Area 30-based cops sit proudly at the summit of the 16-team league with 22 points from eight games.

They have only dropped two points so far and their new coach Elia Kananji yesterday said he is relishing to continue the unbeaten run.

He, however, admitted that they face a stern test from the Kau-Kau Boys, who are also enjoying a good run of form.

Inspired by the Waka Waka sponsorship, Tigers are fourth with 12 points from seven games, having won four, drawn two and lost once.

Said Kananji: “We expect a tough match although we will be playing at home because Tigers have improved a lot this season.

“They have talented and committed young players and we need to come up with a good strategy for them.”

On his part, Tigers technical director Robin ‘Abambo’ Alufandika said they are out to collect maximum points starting today when they face TN Stars at Kasungu Stadium.

He said: “Eagles are in top form and they will be at home. Added to that, our players will be exhausted after tomorrow’s [today] match.

“So, we expect a tough match, but we have done our homework for them. We need to bag maximum or, at least four points to reduce the gap with Eagles and Bullets.” 

Captain Schumacher Kuwali and Gaddie Chirwa are the men to watch for Eagles while Tigers will look up to Precious Chiudza, George Chiomba and Mphatso Katsonga.

Last season, Eagles edged Tigers 1-0 in the first-round but Tigers won by the same margin in the reverse fixture.

Turning to the other fixture, Civo coach Franco Ndawa, who has just been appointed Flames assistant coach, vowed to hand Bullets their first defeat.

He said: “Our preparations are on the right track and we are looking at nothing short of a win to improve our standing on the table.

“Bullets are a good side; they are the reigning champions and have a good coach but we have come up with a strategy for them and come what may, we will win this match.”

The Civil Servants will be without Lloyd Aaron and Henry Msowoya, who are unwell, but they still have enough arsenal in the likes of Joseph Dambuleni, Chikaiko Batson and Patrick Phiri.

Civo are eighth with 10 points from eight matches.

Bullets coach Kalisto Pasuwa, fresh from signing a new three-year long-term contract, will be hoping that Eagles slip up tomorrow and that they should win today to get in the driving seat.

The Zimbabwean mentor was modest in his pre-match talk.

He said: “Civo are perennial campaigners and they are one team we respect a lot and we are preparing for them.”

Bullets won both matches last season by 2-1 margins, but Pasuwa said that does not give them an edge as they have a predominantly youthful squad.

The People’s Team will be welcoming back lanky Nigerian forward Babatunde Adepoju and defender Gomezgani Chirwa from two yellow cards suspensions as well as left-back Precious Sambani from injury.

Others to watch in Bullets camp are Lanjesi Nkhoma, Patrick Mwaungulu and Chimwemwe Idana.

In another match, Silver Strikers host Ekwendemi Hammers at Silver Stadium in the capital.