In a press conference held in Lilongwe, Pieter de Jongh, the coach of Silver Strikers, expressed his discontentment with the schedule that has subjected his team to three consecutive away matches in the TNM Super League. Speaking ahead of their upcoming matches against Karonga United and Chitipa United in the Northern Region, de Jongh highlighted the negative impact of playing consecutive away fixtures.
The Dutch coach, who has 33 years of coaching experience, expressed surprise and disappointment at the frequent changes in fixtures, describing it as unprofessional and detrimental to the league's overall situation. According to de Jongh, this is the first time he has encountered such scheduling in his career.
Silver Strikers recently secured victory in an away match against Mighty Tigers at Kamuzu Stadium, with a final scoreline of 2-0. However, de Jongh acknowledged that the title race is not entirely within their control.
Currently, Silver Strikers find themselves trailing league leaders FCB Nyasa Bullets by seven points, having played one more match. With 46 points from 25 matches, they face an uphill battle to catch up to Bullets, who sit at the top of the table with 53 points from 24 matches.
Furthermore, Silver Strikers are four points behind second-placed Mighty Mukuru Wanderers, who have played one additional game. The team's quest for the 2023 TNM Super League title marks a decade-long drought since their last championship triumph.
As the Central Bankers tackle the challenge of consecutive away matches, their hopes of winning the league remain slim. However, their determination to overcome the odds and secure a victory continues unabated.
With this apprehension from their coach and important matches lying ahead, Silver Strikers' supporters anxiously await their team's performance in the league, hoping for a change in fortunes