Karonga United have said they are not losing sleep ahead of this afternoon’s Airtel Top 8 quarter-final first leg against hosts Mighty Wanderers at Kamuzu Stadium in Blantyre.
Ingwina ya Karonga’s assistant coach Chris Chimkwita spoke tough in a pre-match interview on Thursday, saying the Nomads are familiar foes.
He said: “There have been no special preparations, we are preparing for this game as any other fixture, there is nothing special.
them a couple of times
“We know them and they know us and we know what to expect from them. We have beaten them a couple of times before.”
“So, they [Wanderers] are not a team that we can be afraid of. Last season, we beat them 1-0 in the TNM Super League first round at home while in the second round, they beat us by a similar margin.”
Chimkwita, who is sitting in for suspended head coach Oscar Kaunda, said his charges are ready for battle.
“Of course, we have a number of new players, who are playing at this level for the first time, so the approach and game plan execution will be crucial,” he said.
On the other hand, Nomads coach Bob Mpinganjira was a model of modesty, saying they expect a tough match.
He acknowledged that it will be crucial to get a result this afternoon, considering that Karonga are a hard nut to crack at their Karonga Stadium fortress.
Said Mpinganjira: “They are a tough side and looking at how they have started the season, it will not be an easy match.
“We need to win the first leg at all costs because the atmosphere at Karonga Stadium is always intimidating. Otherwise, we are ready for them.”
In the Super League, the two sides have six points apiece, having won their respective two matches.
Karonga United will bank their hopes on striker Allen Chihana who scored both their goals in 1-0 league victories over Mafco FC and Civil Service United.
Alfred Chizinga and Patrick Phiri could be their other potential match winners.
On the other hand, man-of-the-moment Wisdom Mpinganjira carries the Nomads’ hopes.
He has been a marvel to watch with his fancy footwork when he operates from the flanks. He has been both an architect and scorer of the Nomads’ goals so far this season.
Promise Kamwendo, Francisco Madinga and Blessings Singini have also kept the engines running for the Lali Lubani Road outfit.
