The K90 million TNM Super League kicks off Saturday with defending champions and league leaders Big Bullets taking on Mafco at Chitowe Stadium in Dwangwa in the launch game.
A total of nine matches have been lined-up in the opening week.
Bullets boast of an unbeaten run which saw them bag 32 points in the first round—six points clear of second-placed and third-placed Mighty Be Forward Wanderers.
However, Bullets acting head coach Mabvuto Lungu admitted that the last round will be tough.
“As we kick-off the second round, obviously the mission will be to retain the title, but it won’t be easy because teams usually engage an extra gear to fight for the title, finish on good position and avoid relegation.
“Mafco are always a tough nut to crack when they are playing at home, but we have designed a strategy for them,” said Lungu.
Bullets will be without their key defender Sankhani Mkandawire who is nursing an injury and without him, their defence appeared shaky in the Carlsberg Cup final match against Wanderers.
However, Lungu said they have worked on their loopholes.
Mafco coach Thomas Maloya said having been kicked out of the Standard bank Knockout Cup by Wanderers, their attention has now switched to the league.
“I have told my players to forget about the loss and focus on the game at hand. We want to make sure we make a good start to the league second round and ably compete for the title,” said Maloya, whose side is on position six on the log table with 22 points from 14 games.
Bullets pipped Mafco 1-0 in the fir round encounter.
In another other fixtures slated for Saturday, Fisd Wizards will be looking for their second win of the season as they host Civo United at Kamuzu Stadium in Blantyre while Kamuzu Barracks will also be out to wipe out their Standard Bank Cup misery when they host Azam Tigers at Civo Stadium.
Wizards finished the first round at the bottom of the 15-team log table with nine points while Civo, Kamuzu Barracks and Tigers settled for 10th, fifth and second places with 16, 22 and 26 points, respectively.
On Sunday, Be Forward Wanderers will host Civo at Kamuzu Stadium, Mzuni engage Silver Strikers at Mzuzu Stadium, Blue Eagles will take Airborne Rangers at Nankhaka.
Dedza Young Soccer will lock horns with Red Lions at Dedza Stadium whereas Epac will entertain Tigers at Civo Stadium.
