Despite missing the services of captain Lucky Malata, Sliver Strikers say they are geared to end Blue Eagles’ winning streak this afternoon when the two clash at Silver Stadium in TNM Super League.
The Malawi Police Service (MPS) side is unbeaten in nine games in both the league and Presidential Cup.
Captain Malata will miss the second meet between the two clubs within five days as he is suspended following two yellow cards.
Eagles triumphed through post-match penalties when the two sides met on Wednesday in a Presidential Cup regional play-offs at Silver Stadium.
“They (Eagles) are not that good. We were unlucky in that game because we did not score from the numerous chances that we created. We have worked on our weaknesses and hope to stop Eagles. We have the formula and the strategy to beat them.
“For the past three days we have been polishing up the striking force.
We have good strikers but they let us down in that last match and our focus has been on sharpening their accuracy and composure when in the box,” said a confident Silver coach Lovemore Fazili.
Despite the coach’s confidence, the quartet of Mathews Sibale, Binwell Kachinjiri, Clement Trota and Tizgowere Kumwenda has not been consistent this season.
Teams are finding it tough to halt Eagles who have won all their nine games in all competitions.
They have beaten Azam Tigers 1-0, Epac FC 2-1 Max Bullets 5-3, Red Lions 3-0, Dwangwa Unite 1-0 and Moyale Barracks 1-0 to collect 18 points and create a 7-point gap with nearest competition Mafco FC of Salima in the league.
In the Presidential Cup, Eagles have managed 15 goals, in victories against Madisi Madrid (4-0) and Dwangwa Town Hammers (7-1) and Silver 4-2 to make it 29 goals in all competitions.
Eagles coach Deklerk Msakakuona said they are focusing on one game at a time.
“We don’t want to be carried away with success. We are treating each game as important. I have told my players to work hard and stay focused. The match will be different. Silver will not want to lose again, but we are taking the game to them,” said Msakakuwona.
With Junior Malidadi and Wister Phiri, leading the attack and Philip
Masiye controlling the central midfield and Steve Chagoma marshaling the defence, Eagles can be a handful for opponents on a good day. n
