Civil Service United aim to break jinx

Capital City side Civil Service United will be out in search for the right formula to unlock TNM Super League champions Nyasa Big Bullets at Civo Stadium this afternoon. The last time Civil defeated Bullets was 2-1 in the semifinal of the defunct Standard Bank Cup at Kamuzu Stadium on October 16, 2015 and they went on to win the cup. On the part of Bullets, they…

Capital City side Civil Service United will be out in search for the right formula to unlock TNM Super League champions Nyasa Big Bullets at Civo Stadium this afternoon.

Civil have failed to beat Bullets in all competitions for six consecutive years.

The last time Civil defeated Bullets was 2-1 in the semifinal of the defunct Standard Bank Cup at Kamuzu Stadium on October 16, 2015 and they went on to win the cup.

Since then, Civil have played second fiddle to Bullets.

Again, Civil have even failed to collect a single point against Bullets in the league having lost six matches since 2018.

However, there is renewed hope in Civil camp that the jinx will be broken this afternoon.

Smarting from a 1-1 draw against Kamuzu Barracks at the same venue last week, Civil will be hoping for a positive outcome.

On the part of Bullets, they thrashed Rumphi United 4-1 at Kamuzu Stadium and they will be seeking to continue with their dominance over a hosts.

When the two sides met last season at the same venue, Bullets claimed a 2-1 victory.

In the first round, Bullets also won by the similar margin.

Probably, revenge will be on the mind of Civil Coach Franco Ndawa this afternoon.

“The players are geared for the big match. If we execute our game plan well, we will get the positive result,’’ Ndawa said.

Ndawa has assembled a good squad that includes goalkeeper Ernest Kakhobwe, Kelvin Kadzinje, Patrick Phiri and Victor Lungu.

On his part, Bullets coach Kalisto Pasuwa, who signed a new three-year deal, said the players have performed beyond his expectations this season.

“We have huge respect for them and we are not underrating them despite their form. We know that all teams come hard on Bullets,” Pasuwa said.

Bullets will welcome Babatunde Adepoju who missed the match against Rumphi due to suspension. Defender Gomezgani Chirwa is also back from injury.

Bullets have a chance to overtake leaders Blue Eagles if they beat Civil this afternoon as they have 20 points from eight matches, two points behind leaders Blue Eagles, who will play Mighty Tigers at Nankhaka Stadium tomorrow.

Civil are on position eight on the log table with 10 points from eight matches.

Elsewhere, Silver Strikers will host Ekwendeni Hammers at Silver Stadium.

The Central Bankers returned to winning ways after beating Mighty Wanderers 2-1 at the same venue whereas Hammers shared the spoils against Moyale Barracks after a goal-less draw.

Silver are on position five on the log table with 11 points from seven matches whereas Hammers have 10 points from eight matches.