Silver Strikers, Blue Eagles cling to league title hopes

By Praise Majawa:

Silver Strikers and Blue Eagles remain hopeful of challenging for the FDH Bank Premiership title despite struggling for consistency in the second round.

The two teams have dropped crucial points in recent matches, raising questions about their ability to keep pace with leaders FCB Nyasa Big Bullets and second-placed Mighty Wanderers.

Eagles have managed just one victory in three second-round matches—a 3-0 victory over Chitipa United.

The team lost 2-0 to Bullets before suffering a 2-1 loss to Ekhaya FC at Mpira Stadium in Blantyre City last Friday.

The Area 30-based side is third with 34 points, five behind leaders Bullets.

The team will be looking to revive its title challenge when it hosts Luanar Mitundu at Nankhaka Stadium in Lilongwe City on Sunday.

Eagles Coach Derklerk Msakakuonaa acknowledged that his side’s recent away performances in Blantyre had been disappointing.

He was, however, confident that they would recover.

“Our recent away form in Blantyre has not been good but we will bounce back as the race continues,” Msakakuona said.

Eagles have won 11 matches, drawn once and lost six times, scoring 28 goals and conceding 20 in the process.

Meanwhile, Silver have won nine matches, drawn six and lost three, in the process scoring 24 goals and conceding 11.

The Central Bankers have collected four points from their last three matches.

The Lilongwe-based side opened its second-round campaign with a 1-0 defeat to Wanderers before responding with a 1-0 away victory over Moyale Barracks at Mzuzu Stadium in Mzuzu City.

However, the Central Bankers were held to a goalless draw by relegation threatened Kamuzu Barracks in their most recent match.

Silver are fourth with 33 points from 18 matches, six points behind leaders Bullets and three points behind Wanderers.

The Reserve Bank of Malawi-sponsored side fired head coach Peter Mgangira after suffering a 5-0 defeat to Bullets in the final match of the first round, with interim coach Patricio Kulemeka now tasked with steering the team back on track.

Kulemeka has urged supporters to exercise patience as the team works to improve its performances.

“I should make a plea to our supporters to have patience. We know that they need results but, as we move forward, we need to identify the positives and negatives,” Kulemeka said.

The Bankers will have an opportunity to return to winning ways when they travel to Zomba Stadium in Zomba City to face Red Lions on Saturday.