By Twimepoki Mangani:
Coach of Blue Eagles Eliah Kananji has said his team is prepared to host Silver Strikers in the Lilongwe derby in the second week of the TNM Super League on Saturday at Nakhaka ground.
Blue Eagles started the league on a low note after drawing 1-1 with Red Lions; however they will be looking to continue their dominance over Silver Strikers after defeating them home and away in the 2022 season.
Kananji said the team was fully fit for the encounter and hopes to continue from where they stopped last season when they finished as runners up to the champions First Capital Bank (FCB) Nyasa Bullets.
“The preparations are going on well, we have registered no injuries the entire squad is available but were are also aware that the derby can be unpredictable however we want to use our home advantage and collect the three points, “ he said.
Coach of Silver Strikers, Pieter De Jongh said he expects a tough encounter against Blue Eagles and strongly noted that last season’s results against Eagles have no hold on the match-up while further upholding his teams efforts against Bullets in the season opener.
“It’s going to be difficult game because they were second in the league last season, but am not looking at the past rather the future and I think we are on the right path.
“The game against Bullets was good, I was not surprised because we are in good shape and how we played on Saturday is how I want us to play, high pressure and control on the ball,” he said.
After week one of the TNM Super League, Mighty Mukuru Wanderers FC top the table with three points, while Malawi Armed Forced College (Mafco) FC and Mighty Wakawaka Tigers are on second and third position with three points respectively.
Blue Eagles and Silver Strikers each have one point and they sit fifth and 11th on the table respectively.
From eight games played last week the league recorded three wins, five draws and a total of 14 goals scored.
For games taking place on Saturday 22 April, 2023, Karonga Untied plays Chitipa United at Karonga Stadium, Red Lions against Might Mukuru Wanderers at Balaka Stadium and Bangwe All Stars takes on Mighty Tigers at Mpira Stadium.
On Sunday, Civil Service United will face Extreme FC at Civo Stadium, Ekwendeni Hammers plays Moyale at Mzuzu Stadium, FCB Nyasa Big Bullets hosts Mafco FC at Kamuzu Stadium and Dedza Dynamos welcomes Kamuzu Barracks at Dedza Stadium.
