Second round rolls into life

• Bullets aim at maintaining unbeaten run

The TNM Super League second round rolls into life this afternoon with defending champions Big Bullets itching to stretch their unbeaten run when they face Mafco at Chitowe Stadium in Dwangwa, Nkhotakota.

The People’s Team, which has 32 points, takes to the cane fields of Dwangwa a healthy six-point lead ahead of second-placed Azam Tigers and third-placed Be Forward Wanderers.

Bullets acting head coach Mabvuto Lungu said they will do their best to come out with a win and maintain a clean record in the league.

Moreover, the outcome will be seen as a litmus test of his capability as head coach of the team.

“It will be an interesting match because Mafco will be coming hard on us since they will be playing at home. However, we will not let them beat us,” said Lungu.

Bullets will be without defender Sankhani Mkandawire who is nursing an injury.

Mafco have described their 4-3 post-match penalty loss to Mighty Be Forward Wanderers in Standard Bank Knockout Cup on Thursday as water under the bridge because they have shifted focus to their second-round opener against defending champions Big Bullets today.

Mafco coach Thomas Maloya said they have learnt some lessons from their game against Wanderers and they are ready for a new chapter in the league’s second round.

During their Standard Bank Cup encounter, Mafco played with 10 men after Paul Ndhlovu was sent off for a reckless tackle on Nomads goalkeeper Richard Chipuwa, but they fought hard to force a goalless drawin regulation time.

“I have told my players to forget about the loss and focus on the game at hand. We want to make sure we make a good start to the league second round and ably compete for the title,” said Maloya, whose side lie sixth on the log table with 22 points from 14 games.

Bullets pipped Mafco 1-0 in their first round fixture.

In other fixtures this afternoon, Fisd Wizards will be looking for their second win as they host Civo United at Kamuzu Stadium in Blantyre while Kamuzu Barracks will also be out to wipe out their Standard Bank Cup misery when they host Azam Tigers at Civo Stadium.

Wizards finished the first round at the bottom of the 15-team log table with nine points while Civo, Kamuzu Barracks and Tigers settled for 10th, fifth and second places with 16, 22 and 26 points, respectively.