Silver Strikers will on Saturday start their TNM Super League title defence at home against Big Bullets.
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Besides retaining their winning squad, Silver have also beefed up their squad with Chipiliro Jose, Ndaziona Chatsalira and Young Chimodzi Jnr from Escom United.
Coach Thom Mkorongo has expressed optimism that they will beat Bullets.
“It is important that we start the campaign on a high note and build momentum in the process. It will be great to win so as to put the fans behind us. Last season, we struggled at home. We have to change that always,” said Mkorongo.
Silver Strikers chairperson Dr. MacDonald Mafuta-Mwale also sounded upbeat on Thursday about Saturday’s game.
“We will beat Bullets 4-0. They do not have the players to match us on the pitch,” said Mafuta-Mwale.
Silver, who are sponsored by the Reserve Bank of Malawi, have won the league title six times since they joined top flight football. They have won it three times under TNM sponsorship.
But history shows that Silver have struggled to contain Bullets either at home or away.
“When Silver opened that stadium in Lilongwe, we beat them 4-0. We have always reigned supreme against them. If they win on Saturday, it will be a distortion of history,” said Bullets vice-general secretary Higger Mkandawire.
Based on last season’s statistics, Bullets go into Saturday’s game with an upper hand. They beat Silver 1-0 in the first-round and drew 1-1 in the second.
Bullets have been buoyed up by the return of Grant Lungu and Fischer Kondowe, who will add the needed experience, if they are to counter a Silver Strikers side with quality and depth.
