The battle for the TNM Super League title takes an interesting turn this afternoon when two top teams Nyasa Big Bullets and Silvers, who are separated by a point, hit the road in their last away fixtures before they wrap up the season.
Bullets face unpredictable Kamuzu Barracks at their backyard Civo Stadium while Silver are in the North where they will face another Malawi Defence Force (MDF) outfit Moyale Barracks.
Results from the two will have a huge impact on which way the title may swing.
Mighty Wanderers’ victory over Ekwendeni Hammers on Thursdays piled more pressure on the two top sides since all the three teams now head into their last two fixtures with just a points separating them.
The People’s Team still lead with 56 points followed closely by the Central Bankers at 55 points while the Nomads have 54 points, heading into the final matches.
Both KB and Moyale go into the matches as underdogs, if the past five seasons’ statistics are anything to go by.
But at this juncture, teams are performing wonders as the battle for points intensifies.
Besides, the two MDF sides will get enough satisfaction if they become the two giants’ title bid spoilers.
Interestingly, Silver beat Moyale twice—5-0 in first round league encounter and 2-0 in FHD Bank Cup.
But assistant coach McDonald Yobe says this does not mean Moyale will be a walkover.
“I cannot say we have an advantage. Actually, it makes the game more difficult because they will try their best to revenge the two losses,” he said.
Moyale are on position eight and KB, who are on position five are eyeing the same position.
Moyale team manager Victor Phiri said apart from fighting for the top eight finish, it is also pay-back time for Silver.
“We are fighting for the top eight finish. This time Silver is coming at our home. We look forward to carrying the day.”
Bullets also find themselves in a similar situation.
They beat KB 3-1 at Kamuzu Stadium in the first round.
But going by recent results where the defending champions have struggled even at their fortress Kamuzu Stadium, coach Callisto Pasuwa is worried stiff of what lies ahead this afternoon.
Pasuwa conceded that pressure is mounting.
He said: “Pressure will be there, considering some of the boys are young. But to the senior guys, they have been in this situation before. We are the ones who put ourselves in this situation so we need to take ourselves out if it.”
KB coach Charles Kamanga said winning the match is a must.
He said: “This is a very important match if we are to finish in the top eight.
“We will do everything possible to win this match.
“The pressure is on Bullets because they are chasing the title.
“This is our last match. We will just go and enjoy our game.”
Any result other than a win for Silver and Bullets will mean Wanderers can overtake both of them if they beat Blue Eagles in their next fixture on Sunday.
In simple terms, the battle for the championship which at some point seemed leaning towards Bullets, has taken a new twist and it is going down to the wire.
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