Silver Strikers and Mighty Wanderers have admitted that they still have plenty of work to do ahead of the kickoff of the 2025 TNM Super League season this weekend.
The two sides opened the 2025 domestic football season in the NBS Bank Charity Shield at Bingu National Stadium (BNS) in Lilongwe Saturday.
Silver lifted the Charity Shield after defeating Wanderers 5-3 on post-match penalties after a 2-2 stalemate in regulation time.
Silver will host FCB Nyasa Big Bullets in the official opening match of the TNM Super League at BNS this Saturday whereas Wanderers will meet Blue Eagles at Kamuzu Stadium in Blantyre on Sunday.
But in post-match interviews, Silver Coach Peter Mgangira said the NBS Charity Shield exposed weaknesses.
“We have to work on two or three things. We conceded cheap goals and, as such, we need to work on that before the league starts,” Mgangira said.
In addition, Mgangira, while praising his team’s fighting spirit, said new recruits needed to pull up socks to break into the first 11.
“The players have seen how hard it is to play for a big club like Silver. We always demand more and we are sure they will improve their performances,” Mgangira said.
Three of the five new signings—namely striker Emmanuel Allan, midfielder Festus Duwe and defender Precious Sambani—were in the starting line-up.
But Allan and Duwe were substituted before the break, having struggled on their debut.
Sambani, on the other hand, had a grand game and assisted in Binwell Katinji’s equaliser.
Felix Demakude came on as a second-half substitute whereas striker Samuel Adeyemi was not in the match day squad.
On the other hand, Wanderers Coach Bob Mpinganjira said they would rectify their mistakes before the season starts.
“We have also identified some weaknesses and will go back to the drawing board so that when starting the league, we should try to rectify them,” he said.
Wanderers featured four of the five new signings namely Chancy Mtete, defender Masiya Manda, midfielder Nanison Mbewe and striker Promise Kamwendo.
But striker Blessings Mwalilino was not even on the bench.
Mpinganjira said the new recruits performed well.
“I am satisfied with the new players. All of them have shown that they are ready to play for a big club,” Mpinganjira said.
But the match against Silver exposed that Wanderers need a lot of work, especially at the back and in the goalkeeping department.
The defenders and goalkeeper Dalitso Khungwa were at fault for letting in two goals.
However, analyst Parry Chinyama said the two teams seem to have prepared well for the forthcoming season.
“The two teams seem to have prepared for the season very well if their performances are anything to go by. For me, Wanderers were the better side but between the two I thought this was a grudge game. Silver wanted to ensure their legacy on Wanderers is maintained while Wanderers wanted to break this.
“Overall, these teams are ready to showcase good football this season,” Chinyama said.
Silver twice came from behind to win the match on post-match penalties.
Sama Tanjong opened the scoring before Katinji pulled level.
Blessings Singini restored Wanderers’ lead but Zebron Kalima netted the equaliser.
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