Silver Strikers Head Coach, Peter Mponda said he is worried about complacency after his team claimed a 2-0 win over Mighty Mukuru Wanderers last weekend. The Bankers will take on Karonga United this afternoon at Silver Stadium, their sixth home game this season.
Mponda said the way the Bankers celebrated their win over Wanderers showed that they underestimated themselves without realizing that Silver Strikers are a bigger side than the Nomads.
“The way we celebrated against [Mighty Mukuru] Wanderers is also a concern,” said Mjojo. “It was like we are a small team and we have beaten a big team but looking at numbers, we have won more titles than them. So, we worked hard for that win and the over-celebration worries me.”
Two second-half goals from Chikondi Kamanga and Zebron Kalima were enough to inflict a defeat on the Nomads. The two heavyweights share 15 league titles with Silver Strikers having 8 golden medals while the Nomads have 7.
Both Blue-attired Clubs have been struggling to win the league Championship recently with Silver Strikers’ recent triumph being in 2013 while Wanderers last won it in 2017.
Mponda cautions players against complacency
The Area 47-based side are enjoying a positive start to the season, bagging home 19 points from a possible 21. They have recorded six wins out of their seven opening games this season.
Silver Stadium will again be treated with an appetizing match this afternoon as the Ingwina, Karonga United stepped down in the Capital City.
10 points separate the two sides heading into this weekend’s clash with Karonga sitting 10th having amassed 9 points from seven matches.
Despite carrying a big gulf over the Northern Region Football side, Mponda said the players must not be complacent when they face Oscar Kaunda’s side.
“Karonga [United] are a very good side, they are being coached by a very good coach [OScar Kaunda]. We need to treat [this game] carefully. The celebration [against Wanderers] worried me, that’s why I am worried ahead of this game because it is getting into their [players’] heads that it’s going to be easy. It’s looking easy because we are working hard and we need to keep on working hard,” added the Former Flames skipper.
Mponda was open to reveal the secret behind the good start to the season saying the players are working hard, responding to training. He said, “Firstly, it’s about how we are training. The guys who are training well are the ones who are playing. There are no bigger players in the team. Every player is being treated equally, and everyone is given a fair chance to train, that’s why the guys are competing for places [in the team].”
Karonga geared to halt Silver’s flying start
Karonga United Head Coach, Oscar Kaunda said the team is looking to return to winning ways when they face Karonga United after three back-to-back setbacks.
The Ingwina played a 1-all draw against CRECK Sporting Club before suffering a 1-0 defeat to Mighty Mukuru Wanderers. Last week, Kaunda ranted to the match officials for inconsistent officiation following their 1-all stalemate against Civil Service United.
Kaunda said Karonga United are geared to get points against Silver. “However, it will not be that easy. The boys are prepared and ready for the game,” he said.
Silver Strikers have won three of their last five meetings with Karonga United, drawing two games.
