Silver Strikers coach Pieter de Jongh has disclosed that the team that will collect 65 points will have a realistic chance of winning the TNM Super League this season.
The Dutchman was giving an assessment of the first round during a weekly briefing at Silver Club House on Thursday.
“Before the start of the league, I said that the team that gets 62, 63 or 65 points will win the title,” he said.
The title race is wide open with over five teams in contention this season.
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FCB Nyasa Big Bullets finished top of the first round with 30 points just one point above second-placed Silver.
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Third-placed Chitipa United have 29 points from 15 matches whereas Mighty Mukuru Wanderers have 28 points, two points behind Bullets.
The former Highlanders and FC Platinum coach has been entrusted with the responsibility to end Silver’s 10-year jinx in the league.
De Jongh heaped praise on his players for performing beyond expectations in the first round.
“My players did a miracle by finishing second on the log table in the first round. I am happy with the first round,” he said.
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Silver went 11 matches unbeaten in the TNM Super League in the first round. But they have two matches towards the end of the first round.
They lost 1-0 to Wanderers before a 2-1 loss to Civil Service United.
However, de Jongh said he expects a tough competition in the second round.
“Everywhere the second round is always difficult. Some teams fight relegation but we will play to win the title,” he said.
Silver do not have a chance to win the treble this season after they exited the FDH Bank Cup following 10-9 loss on post-match penalties to Moyale Barracks.
Former Flames defender Moses Chavula said the first round was the most competitive ever.
“I think playing one game per day helped to improve the performance of the teams. It was difficult to predict the results in the first round. The level of the competition was good,’’ he said.
