Nyasa Big Bullets will ignite their TNM Superleague title defence against city rivals Mighty Wanderers at Kamuzu Stadium on 19th March, the first time in more than ten years for such a fixture. The match-up arguably sets the tone for this year’s competition.
The announcement of the fixtures has also put to bed, ongoing critics on the Super League of Malawi for not clearing the mist about the start of the competition.
Champions Bullets will therefore head to Kamuzu Stadium to perhaps make a statement on their quest to cling to the honors against Mighty Wanderers, their glaring rivals who finished third last season.
But Wanderers management has recently indicated that going three years without silverware is a jinx they would wish to break this time out.
While the sights will be on the aging rivalry, some interest will also be on veteran forward Chiukepo Msowoya who recently switched red from Bullets to Wanderers after his release.
Miracle Gabeya will also play for the first time in the league against his former club after he saw the exit door at Bullets over failure to agree on contentious personal terms.
This reckoning is well clear as Wanderers former player Babatunde Adepoju scored four past them in a cup competition last year. The Nigerian came into the history books as the first player to reach that feat in a derby in their famous 4-1 win at the same venue.
Bullets are banking on starlets Lanjesi Nkhoma, Patrick Mwaungulu, and recruit Haji Wali who scored the only goal in Bullet’s Charity Shield win against Silver Strikers on Saturday.
In the same opening week, last season runners-up Silver play against Red Lions at the revitalized Balaka Stadium on Sunday, as rookies Sable Farming will play Civil.
Military outfit Mafco will then face Blue Eagles at a match venue yet to be announced.
Here is how the first week will shape up.
Saturday 19th March 2022.
Nyasa Big Bullets vs Mighty Wanderers @Kamuzu.
Mighty Tigers vs Moyale Barracks @Mpira.
MAFCO FC vs Blue Eagles @TBA
Karonga United vs Kamuzu Barracks @Karonga.
Ekwendeni Hammers vs TN Stars @TBA
Sunday 20th March 2022.
Red Lions vs Silver Strikers @Balaka.
Civil Service FC vs Sable Farming FC @TBA
Rumphi United vs Dedza Young Dynamos @TBA.