Second-placed Blue Eagles are hoping to wind up the TNM Super League first round without tasting defeat when they visit TN Stars at Kasungu Stadium tomorrow.

The Malawi Police Service side will also be itching to end their string of five draws on the trot  in a quest to reduce the gap with run-away leaders Nyasa Big Bullets.

The cops have 30 points from 14 matches, 11 behind the People’s Team who already concluded their first round assignments.

Eagles coach Eliah Kananji said tomorrow’s match is a must-win for his side if they are to keep Bullets in check.

He said: “We have drawn five consecutive matches and that is not encouraging.

“We are desperate to finish the first round with a win that could reduce the gap to eight points. We also have [third-placed] Mighty Mukuru Wanderers breathing down on our necks. Besides, it is important that we maintain our unbeaten run.”

Eagles and Bullets are so far the only teams yet to taste defeat in the top-flight.

The cops go into this fixture without three key players namely striker Schumacher Kuwali, midfielder Micium Mhone and defender Sankhani Mkandawire who are with the Flames at the Hollywoodbts Cosafa Cup in Durban, South Africa.

But while admitting that their absence will be felt, Kananji said he has confidence in his entire squad.

Earlier in the week, Eagles accused Super League of Malawi of not taking a firm line in the allocation of fixtures.

Club chairperson Alexander Ngwala said he was not amused the league-runners decided to schedule the match this weekend when it could have been played last week.

He said: “You will note that both us and TN Stars did not have a game last week and that means we could have played this match then. The way the fixtures are being handled is unfair to some clubs.”

TN Stars, who are second from the bottom with nine points from 14 matches, will also be hoping to wind up the first round on a good done.

Assistant coach Honest Nkhwazi said they are geared to make use of home ground advantage.

“If we win Sunday’s match, it will be a big boost ahead of the second round,” he said.

In other games, 14th-placed Sable Farming host Mafco FC at Mpira Stadium in Chiwembe Township, Blantyre, this afternoon while tomorrow, Dedza Dynamos face Civil Service United at Dedza Stadium, Karonga United host Ekwendeni Hammers at Karonga Stadium and table anchors Rumphi United date Moyale Barracks at Rumphi Stadium.

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