Silver Strikers Coach Peter Mponda anticipates a tough encounter against Kamuzu Barracks (KB) this afternoon at Civo Stadium in Lilongwe as both teams are eager to return to winning ways after losing their cup assignments last week.
Mponda notes that KB plays a rough and possessive style of football and adds that his players understand the critical nature of this match and have been motivated to perform exceptionally.
Kamuzu Barracks are heading into the game having played 180 minutes without scoring or conceding a goal.
This match will mark their 13th encounter against the Central Bankers, during which they have lost ten times, and have won and drawn once since 2016.
However, their coach, Charles Kamanga, says their morale remains high and aims to collect maximum points, as a win could help them reclaim the second position, which they lost to Mighty Mukuru Wanderers yesterday.
Silver Strikers are at the top of the league with 29 points, followed by Wanderers in second place with 21 points, and KB in third with 20 points.
Meanwhile, defending Champions FCB Nyasa Big Bullets are expected to face Civil Service United at Kamuzu Stadium in Blantyre.
Bullets, currently seventh on the table, will host 11th-placed CIVO without their regulars Patrick Mwaungulu and Lanjesi Nkhoma, who are finalizing their moves to DR Congo’s TP Mazembe.
In his pre-match assessment, Bullets’ coach Calisto Pasuwa said, “Civil is a good team, and we have to strive to be on our toes to be ready for them. What I have seen in Malawi is that every team prepares well against Bullets. Even if they last played badly, the moment they know they are playing Bullets, they will play excellent football.”
Civil Service United FC assistant coach Wilson Chidati mentioned that they are ready for the fixture, despite losing their star player Emmanuel Saviel, who has joined Zambian outfit Mufulira Wanderers. He acknowledged that the match will be a tricky one.
In the Northern region, Mzuzu City Hammers will host Premier Bet Dedza Dynamos at Mzuzu Stadium, while league strugglers Chitipa United and Baka City will clash at Karonga Stadium.
The games will be broadcast live on MBC TV1, TV2 On the Go, and Radio 2 FM.
By Praise Majawa