Silver set to make records
Should Silver Strikers win against Kamuzu Barracks (KB) at Civo Stadium today afternoon, it will see them set a number of records, among them becoming the only team to win the TNM Super League title a week before the end of the season.
It will also see them becoming the only team to defend the TNM Super League title as well as winning a record fourth title since the mobile phone service provider took over sponsorship in 2006.
Since Mighty Wanderers won the inaugural championship on the last day seven years ago, all the other championships have been decided on the last day of the season except the 2008/09 season when Silver won it two weeks before the end.
In 2007, Escom United won the championship after beating Bullets 1-0 on the last day, but in a spectacular fashion. Wanderers, who led on the log table for the better part of the season, needed just a draw against Silver, but they lost 1-0 while Escom beat Big Bullets 1-0 in Lilongwe to overtake Nomads.
In 2009, Silver also won it on the last day of the campaign after drawing 1-1 with Wanderers, frustrating Escom hopes who managed a 2-0 win over Moyale in a game they needed a six-goal margin victory to win the league.
The win made the Bankers the first and only team this far to defend the title a feat they may repeat this afternoon.
In 2010, Escom were crowned kings on the closing day in Mzuzu where they beat Moyale 2-1 as close contenders Silver missed the party after losing 2-1 at home to Wanderers.
Last season, Silver denied Escom a chance to go into the books as the second team to defend the title, when they beat them 1-0 on the last day of the season to claim a third Super League title.
With three championships, Silver are the most successful team under the TNM sponsorship era and this afternoon presents them with yet another opportunity to add the fourth title.
As statistics show, favourites have failed to win the championship despite being in a better position as Silver is today.
But if you believe in omens then you can safely declare that the title is for Silver to lose.
Another interesting look at statistics shows that since 2006, all the first-round winners in the league have never won the league except in 2009 when Silver finished top in the first round and went on to defend the championship.
This season, Silver won the first round and are set to defend the championship.
“It is really amazing how statistics look sometimes, but we are motivated to defend the title. We have missed on all the three major cups and this is the only one for us to take.
“We will fight our own battle and come Sunday afternoon, it will be party time in Lilongwe,” said Silver’s assistant coach Hellings Mwakasungula.
Bullets are breathing down Silver’s neck after beating Epac 3-0 at Kamuzu Stadium on Saturday. Bullets can win the championship if Silver fail to get three points in their games against KB and Wanderers next week, while they win their game against Red Lions.
Sulom general secretary Williams Banda said the title race in the league since TNM came in is an indication of stiff competition in the local game.
“This just shows how the investment by TNM in the past seven years has helped improve competition. Before TNM came on board, championships were decided months before the end.
“Some people have been saying the standards of the league have gone down, but how do you justify that when teams struggle to defend the league and only win it in the last weeks of the competition?” wondered Banda.
