Pre-Match Report
The Capital City Derby between two old-aged rivals, Silver Strikers and Civil Service United calls for attention this Sunday with a lot at stake.
The Central Bankers who are leading the 16-member TNM Super League table are looking to extend their unbeaten run this season to 23 games as the Servants will be hoping to avoid losing a third consecutive derby.
Civil Service United have just lost one game in their last 10 league matches, suffering a 1-0 defeat to Mighty Mukuru Wanderers, winning as many as games they have drawn (5)
As Civil Service United are making a short trip to Area 47 on Sunday, they are coming from a barren stalemate against FCB Nyasa Big Bullets in a cup game but their last league assignment saw them getting three points against Moyale Barracks.
Silver Strikers escaped from the jaws of CRECK Sporting Club in their last league game, coming from behind twice to snatch a point in Mchinji, a fighting spirit which impressed the coach, Peter Mponda.
“It was a good game as we performed very well. We are disappointed with the result of the game but we are not surprised as it looked like we played against a lot of sides but all in all that’s football”, said Mponda after the game.
Silver Strikers will be looking to widen their gap with their closest challengers, Mighty Mukuru Wanderers and at the same time, they will be looking to register their first double over their neighbors since 2017 when they claimed 2-1 wins in both rounds. Mathews Sibale scored in the 29th minute but Joseph Dudu Kachule cancelled it from the spot before Kondwani Mwayira won it late. Silver Strikers completed the double at home when Sibale and Blessings Tembo scored while Kachule scored a consolation goal for the Servants.
Silver Strikers were 2-0 winners in the first round with Innocent Shema and Charles Chipala scoring, their second win in two games as they were also 1-0 winners in the 2023 second round when Patrick Macheso scored the only goal.
Civil Service United will be looking for their second Derby win in 8 games as they currently hold one win in seven meetings in all competitions, they were 2-1 winners in the first round of the 2023 with Binwell Katinji and Luke Chima scoring for the Servants while Chimwemwe Idana scored a consolation goal for the Bankers at Silver Stadium.
Silver Strikers are leading the table after amassing 50 points from 22 games. They are going into the derby sitting four steps above their neighbors and 16 points above Civil Service who are fifth with 34 points from the same number of games.
