Mafco, Silver

Mafco will this afternoon match onto Civo Stadium turf hoping to repeat the performance that saw them dispatch Nyasa Big Bullets from the Carlsberg Cup as they face Silver Strikers in the semi-finals.

Speaking from Salima in a telephone interview, Mafco deputy commandant Elvis Mwase said his side will not be affected by punishment meted out on them for allegedly triggering violence a fortnight at Chitowe in Dwangwa.

“We have told the players to focus on playing football on the pitch and let our legal team handle FAM ruling until the legal process is exhausted. The players are now more motivated than ever and we are going to Lilongwe to try and get a result so that we can progress to the last hurdle,” said Mwase

Despite the absence of three key players Paul Ndlovu, Stain Malata and Richard Mbulu, who are suspended, Mafco is optimistic of a good performance this afternoon.

“We have a huge squad and several options from which to select a winning team,” said a confident Mwase

Saidi Ntekama and Joseph Dossa are expected to lead the frontline for the Salima-based soldiers.

But goals have been coming from all departments for Mafco with Bernard Harawa and Paul Phiri coming to the rescue of the strikers.

If we are to measure by results in the first round of the TNM league, Mafco will go into the game as favourites. The Salima based soldiers convincingly beat Silver 3-0 in the first round of the league.

But Mafco need to be at their best if they are to beat a youthful but talented Silver side.

In offence the combination of Tizgowere Kumwenda, Levison Maganizo and Mathews Sibale has been the undoing of a lot of teams this season.

The three boast of dribbling skills and pace and have been key to the success of the Bankers.

On the wings, Thuso Paipi and Blessings Tembo have been dangerous when complimenting the offence.

The fact that Silver are second on the log table in the league speaks volumes of the team’s capabilities.

But Silver’s ace is their experienced technical panel of Young Chimodzi and Lovemore Fazili who are good at reading the game and making tactical changes.

“This is a very difficult fixture. Mafco are buoyed up by their victory over Bullets and will want a repeat. But we are up to it. We have been prepared well for this match and we have a game plan we hope can help us win,” said Fazili. n