Big Bullets wary of Ntopwa FC
TNM Super League defending champions Nyasa Big Bullets, in a bid to break into the top four, will tread cautiously when facing Ntopwa FC at Kamuzu Stadium in Blantyre this afternoon.
Last season, Bullets defeated Ntopwa twice 4-1 in the first round and 2-1 in the second half of the season where the score-line was not a true reflection of what was happening on the pitch.
Bullets Head Coach Kallisto Pasuwa said even though his side had been boosted with the return of eight players, who have been cleared of Covid-19, it would be difficult a match.
“Preparations have been going on well and we hope for the best. We need to be positive for us to win,” he said.
Bullets are eighth with 11 points from six matches. They trail league leaders Red Lions by six points but the soldiers have played two more games.
Ntopwa Technical Director Jomo Osman fired warning shots, saying Bullets should expect fireworks as he wanted to move to second place on the log table.
“Bullets are a big side and we respect them. This time around, we do not want to lose our style of play for us to win the game,” he said.
Bullets will not have an easy ride as Ntopwa have been outstanding this season, having won four matches from eight matches they have played this far.
Ntopwa lie on position five with 13 points from eight games.
Interestingly, Ntopwa’s captain George Nyirenda used to play for Bullets while the club’s owner, Osman, once served as Bullets’ supporters chairperson.
Elsewhere, Civil Service United and Lions will battle for the top position when they face-off at Civo Stadium in Lilongwe this afternoon.
The sides are separated by two points as Lions lead the table with 17 points while Civil have 15 points on third position.
Civil Assistant Coach Elia Kananji said they wanted to make up after failing to beat Lions’ brothers in arms, Moyale, last week.
“The approach will be quite different with the way we played against Moyale. We drew 1-1 with Moyale because we were somehow casual. This is another game and we need to win to move up the table,” he said.
Lions Assistant Coach Nelson Chirwa said they were guarding the top spot with full ammunition.
“We have been training hard knowing that we are playing away,” he said.
Lions free-scoring forward Royal Bokosi will likely lead the attack.
In another match this afternoon, Karonga United will host Ekwendeni Hammers at Karonga Stadium.
Super League games will continue tomorrow, with Blue Eagles dating Lions at Nankhaka Stadium whereas table-anchors Chitipa United will face Moyale at Karonga Stadium.
At Kasungu, TN Stars will welcome Kamuzu Barracks while Be Forward Wanderers will clash with Mighty Tigers at Kamuzu Stadium.
