Malawi’s elite league explodes to full life on Saturday when holders, Nyasa Big Bullets, face leaders, Silver Strikers, in a first-round meeting involving celebrated Zambian and Zimbabwean coaches.
Former Zimbabwe coach, Kallisto Pasuwa, leads Bullets into the no-gone zone of Silver Stadium in Lilongwe for the TNM Super League clash against Zambian Dan Kabwe-led Silver.
Silver are flying under the former Lusaka Dynamos and Zanaco mentor, they have 32 points from 14 games, opening a six-point gap from second-placed Bullets who have a game in hand.
A loss for Silver in their final first-round game on Saturday and a win for Bullets in both games can see them go top of the log table.
Kabwe has placed faith in up-and-coming players such as Zebron Kalima, Chinsinsi Maonga and in-form striker Maxwell Gasten, who has been a revelation and is the leading scorer having bagged two hat-trick so far.
The Reserve Bank of Malawi sponsors Silver who are bidding for their first league title since 2015 whereas Pasuwa is chasing a seventh consecutive league championship.
In the other camp, Pasuwa has established himself at Bullets to build on his exploits in Zimbabwe where he led the Warriors to AFCON finals and won four consecutive league titles with Dynamos FC between 2011 to 2014.
The quiet man has continued his streak in Malawi where he has led Bullets to two titles on the bounce.
However, on Saturday, Pasuwa will be without two regular goalkeepers, Ernest Kakhobwe and Rabson Chiyenda, who are injured, hence Richard Chimbamba is expected to retain his place between the sticks.
Winger Dailesi Sailesi has also suffered an injury.
Pasuwa remains confident in the overall performance of his charges in the 16-member league. He hopes they will build on that form when facing Silver.
“A good game involving top two teams. They are first on the table and we [are] second. Us as Bullets, we prepare each and every game as it comes. There is no big team, there is no small team and that’s how we look at the league itself.
“We advise the players to prepare well for each and every game coming, so Silver Strikers, being top of the table and title contenders, we have put everything in place to win the game. Games are only won when the attitude is okay, you have prepared well and we hope that the boys will play according to how we have been training her,” the Zimbabwe told Bullets website.
Bullets are coming from a 1-1 draw against rivals, Be Forward Wanderers FC, last weekend when Silver also settled for a 0-0 draw with Mighty Tigers FC.
Still on Saturday, Wanderers face Red Lions who are smarting from a home 2-0 loss to Moyale Barracks last weekend whereas Blue Eagles host third-placed Ekwendeni Hammers.
Hammers then date Civil Service on Sunday when Moyale take on Karonga United on the same day.
Full fixtures:
Saturday, 08th May, 2021
Silver Strikers v Nyasa Big Bullets @ Silver Stadium 14:30hrs
Kamuzu Barracks v Mafco FC @ Civo Stadium 14:30hrs
Blue Eagles v Ekwendeni Hammers @ Nankhaka 14:30hrs
Be Forward Wanderers v Red Lions @ Kamuzu Stadium 14:30hrs
Sunday, 09th May, 2021
Civil Service FC v Ekwendeni Hammers @ Civo Stadium 14:30hrs
Moyale v Karonga United @ Mzuzu Stadium 14:30hrs