Big dreamer Gobede rewrites Carlsberg Cup script
After dismissing Support Battalion, Blue Eagles and Blantyre United, big dreamer Alinafe Noel Gobede and his Zomba United naughty boys condemned holders Kamuzu Barracks (KB) out of the Carlsberg Cup on Sunday.
After this stunning and richly sensational 1-0 win that soured like 7-1 to disbelieving KB’s hearts, surely, is one last episode worth the gaze in the cup final on August 10 2014.
Come the final, there is probably not much Big Bullets should worry about facing the predominantly secondary school amateur footballers in the cup which has served enough material for a drama script.
Why should Bullets, with their red army of fans, promising coaches Elia Kananji, Mabvuto Lungu, team manager Fundi Akidu and experienced technical adviser Billy Tewesa, be stressed up about amateur footballers and an amateur coach Godebe (he holds FAM C Licence)?
“We are coming as good defenders and we are coming as good attackers [message to Bullets],” Gobede, looking intense in his trademark overgrown beard, mop hair and scarf, said in a post-match interview.
On Sunday, KB gave up on the semi-final game the moment they substituted their probably most talented player Harvey Nkacha, an ex-Zomba United captain, for Ben Hojani. The minnows finally scored from a second-half penalty taken by Isaac Nankapa
Save for three, the rest of the players are from Zomba secondary schools. The team’s most experienced players are Super League outcasts Charles Kalaire (ex-Bullets) and Waddo Ching’oma (ex-Blantyre United).
“I came to help my home team to prove that I am not finished. Our coach is our great inspiration. He makes you believe you can do it. He comes up with a careful game plan,” Ching’oma observed.
Save for brilliant goalkeeper Francisco Mwambo, who commands his box, organises defence and even sweeps; and imposing striker Precious Msosa, Zomba have few stars. Yet, they fight, using their devastating pace on the counter-attack.
Lilongwe music artists Simon and Kendal sang Introduction/Gobede! Gobede! Now this UDK bus company director [Gobede], who also juggles roles as the team’s chairperson and sponsor, needs no introduction.
For now, the 2014 Carlsberg Cup is hanging somewhere between Blantyre and Zomba.
