Season’s Prediction

With domestic football pride, the TNM Super League, rolling to life last week, SPORTSXTRA sticks its neck out on the chopping board, analysing how the 15 teams are likely to fare this season. Having won the title for three consecutive seasons, all eyes will certainly be on Silver Strikers. Steady sponsorship, depth in quality players, the Bankers are by far the best side on the land.

Silver Strikers

But having won the Super League by a point in 2011/12 season, then on aggregate last season, the principal of marginal returns could be at play here.

Silver’s strength is in attack, the goals come from all departments, but if they are to have a smooth ride, they need another quality striker with physical presence to ease the burden on Rodrick Gonani. They have the best midfield and goalkeepers, but the central defence remains suspect. Their success will also depend on supporters’ politics, which has always destabilised the team.

I foresee Silver relinquishing the Super League title through finishing second. However, the Bankers will atone for that by winning a cup.

Big Bullets

For a team that was staring relegation in the face barely two years ago to push Silver last season all the way to the last day of the campaign was a remarkable turnaround. Bullets have the fans’ high demands for results to always satisfy and this ensures that players are never in the comfort zone. The Carlsberg sponsorship, right balance of youth and experience in the squad, their executive’s business innovations and coach Eddington Ng’onamo’s experience are their strengths.

Their biggest threats are their own supporters and trustees who seem to be creating camps. Bullets also need another proven quality striker, certainly not in the mould of Brown Mizeye and Lawson Chilewe, who may struggle and wilt with the pressure. Bullets should also pray for Fischer Kondowe’s continued rich vein of form. They also badly lack a quality creative central midfielder.

More critically, all depends if Bullets will have the balls to hold on to their prized asset, Gabadinho Mhango. The People’s Team looks Super League title favourites. You can also expect a cup in the cabinet.

Blantyre United

“After climbing to finish third last season, our target is to get higher. We also have a good crop. For every position, we have two players. There is a replacement for Jimmy Chikulekule. Owen Kalibwani and Tofara Mopiha can step in his boots,” says Blantyre United administrator Lawson Nakoma.

Tough talking indeed, but it is never easy playing that fantasy football when a squad is gradually losing key members such as Chikulekule, Mizeye and Dalitso Sailesi.

The team’s biggest weakness in the last two seasons was inability to convert their dominance of possession into goals. Mizeye’s exit leaves Sparrow Msowoya with a burden. Muhamad Suluma and Tizgobere Kumwenda are on learning curve. The Elia Kananji side should barely manage a top eight finish.

—Continued next week