Mzuzu City Hammers changed the name in 2024, their usual start to the season changed too. The gulf between the traditional big three teams and the rest previously looked harder to break, are Hammers, Kamuzu Barracks moving to make mockery of the assumption?
A league with uniformity, as of week Six, all teams have played the same number of games though the foul-cry on fixtures organization will not cease. Silver Strikers will be at home against Mighty Mukuru Wanderers before playing Karonga United, their sixth home game in eight matches.
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FCB Nyasa Big Bullets have played six games, three away, three at home, Wanderers have played six games, three away, three home. KB have played six games, three away and three at home. Fixture cry is just a few of the worrying signs this season.
The 2024 TNM Super League has started with glimpses of promises, Mzuzu City Hammers are one of the teams that are performing better, sitting second, three points shy of the league leaders, Silver Strikers.
On Sunday, the Iron Boys claimed a huge victory over Kamuzu Barracks at Mzuzu Stadium, thanks to Isaac Msiska’s strike that denied the Soldiers the chance to go second on the table and stay within two points off the leaders.
Elias Chirambo, a short-sentence speaking coach said the dream of the team is to break into the top four this season.
“The main dream of the team this season is to finish in the top four. We will make sure that we work hard in all the games,” he said after a narrow 1-0 win over KB.
“With the coming of Betika Malawi, we are geared to play for the team. We will try to work hard for us to get points. We want to play in the Top 8 football,” Vice Captain, Wongani Lungu who is in Flames’ Provisional squad tells Wa Mpira after a 1-all stalemate in the Mzuzu Derby against Moyale Barracks.
A sense of positivism and confidence linger in Hammers’ team when playing. Chimwemwe Chunga, the team’s Captain, Lungu are pumping the team from midfield.
Isaiah Nyirenda and Isaac Msiska have formed a good combination as two strikers in Chirambo’s 4-4-2 formation, their exchange of positions during games proved to be tough for the opponents to stop them. The pair has scored five combined goals with Msiska scoring four.
How Hammers’ 2024 season differs from their previous three
Mzuzu City Hammers waited until the last two games to confirm their survival last season. They finished with 36 after winning just 9 games the whole season.
Hammers are competing at elite level for the fourth time. The Northern Region Football League has been producing stronger teams for the last 10 years with three of them establishing themselves. Karonga United stayed, Hammers stayed, Chitipa United stayed but Baka City are looking to be moving like a toddler.
Under Etson-Kadenge Mwafulirwa, Hammers in 2021 did wonders, they finished 9th in their maiden season with 41 points winning 11 games. They had a great start to the season but this season is better.
The Hammers kicked off their life in the elite league with a 1-0 defeat to Kamuzu Barracks but they beat TN Stars, Silver Strikers and Mighty Tigers in four weeks. After playing six games, they had collected 10 points.
In 2022, after six games, they had collected 9 points after losing once, drew thrice and two wins. They started with a win over TN Stars before losing Big Bullets. They recorded stalemates against Mafco FC, Sable Farming and Mighty Waka Waka Tigers. They finished 10th that season with 34 points.
In 2023, Hammers lost two games, won two and drew two games from their opening six matches. They had 8 points. The Northern Region based side kicked off their season with two back-to-back draws against Kamuzu Barracks and Moyale Barracks before losing to Mighty Mukuru Wanderers and Silver Strikers. They beat Mafco FC and Chitipa United to mark off their campaign.
Consistency will be a key for the Hammers to keep on hammering.
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