Silver, Mafco in second attempt to clinch Presidential Cup
Silver Strikers and Mafco get another chance in their quest to join the pantheon of local greats who have lifted the lucrative K60 million Presidential Cup when they clash in the fifth edition of the showpiece this afternoon at Civo Stadium.
At stake is a cool K10 million winner’s purse and it is a contest that is expected to be a tautly compelling encounter.
Both teams have reached the finals of the showcase before. The Bankers came agonisingly close three years ago, but lost 1-0 to their capital city rivals Civo United and, a year later, Mafco saw their world crumble around them when they went down to Mighty Wanderers by a similar margin.
It was a case of being so near and yet so far. But today it will be a different story—one of the two teams will leave the arena with a fat K10 million cheque.
On paper, the odds are tipped in Silver’s favour in terms of class, prestige, success and stature, but Mafco’s coach Sterio Gondwe said that it matters less as his troops are determined to stun Silver.
“We have played second fiddle to Silver for a long time, but this is a cup final and we are determined to go for their throats from the off.
“Everything is possible when you have the spirit, courage and undying determination. I am just appealing to our fans and the neutrals to come and cheer us on and we’ll not disappoint them,” said Gondwe.
He also said this afternoon’s showdown will give them a chance to compensate for their loss to the Nomads in 2011 when Anthony Banda came off the bench to strike the priceless lone goal that halted Mafco’s dreams for a maiden major cup.
“That defeat still hurts us and we would want to make up for it tomorrow[today],” he said.
Mafco will look up to their revitalised skipper Zasher Mnong’oneza, Emmanuel Chipeta and hitman Oswald Mkagula.
On the other hand, Silver team manager S’busiso ‘Shaka’ Padambo admitted it will certainly not be a stroll in the park for his team.
“It will be a tough game considering Mafco’s recent impressive run and we are not throwing caution to the wind.
“We have not won a cup for some time now and we have also never won the Presidential Cup. It is, therefore, our wish to win tomorrow’s [today] final,” said Padambo.
He was also a model of modesty and brushed off suggestions that his side will start as favourites.
With Charles Swini guarding the posts, captain Lucky Malata marshalling the defence, Young Chimodzi Jnr, Peter ‘Pido’ Pindani, Chikondi Likwemba, Frank Banda and Jester Mulima keeping the supply lines open and their youthful talisman Chawanangwa Kaonga, Green Harawa and Rodrick Gonani pulling the strings up front, Silver are plastered with talent.
To qualify for the finals, Mafco beat Azam Tigers 3-1 while Silver saw off Red Lions’ strong resistance.
FAM competitions officer Gomezgani Zakazaka said among other activities, models are expected to parade the cup to the venue of the game.
