Rivals Civil Service (Civo) United and Silver Strikers renew their rivalry this afternoon in the latest episode of the capital city derby in the semi-final of the Pachema FDH Bank Cup at Bingu National Stadium.
It will be the third meeting between the two sides, having met in the TNM Super League first round and Airtel Top 8 semis and the Bankers came out triumphant 2-0 and 2-1 respectively, but the Civil Servants have vowed to get it right this time around.
The rejuvenated and revived Civil, unbeaten in 15 matches across all competitions, are turning back the hands of time to the good old days in 1980s when they were a force to reckon with.
In an interview yesterday, their coach Abbas Makawa said he expects a tough encounter.
“They have beaten us twice this season and we’ll have to be at our best to turn around the fortunes,” he said.
two teams. I Courtesy of Silver Strikers
“Though we know it won’t be easy, we will strive to get a win tomorrow [today],” he said.
On the other hand, Silver, who won the inaugural competition in 2021, go into
this fixture fresh from their participation in the CAF Champions League in which they came within touching distance of qualifying for the group stages.
In an interview yesterday, their coach Peter ‘Shoes’ Mgangira was a model of modesty, playing down their two victories over their rivals this season.
“This is a different game altogether and if we go into the match thinking that we have an edge based on previous matches, then we could pay dearly in the end,” he said.
Mgangira, who once starred for Civo during his playing days, said: “We are playing against a side that is enjoying good form. They have
not been beaten for a while.
“They sold a couple of good players, but they have remained strong and solid.”
Nevertheless, Mgangira said while they take Civo as a good side, they don’t fear them.
He said: “It’s a derby and it is not going to be easy, we expect it to be very competitive and exciting, but we are ready, our players are hungry for the match and raring to go.
“We will go out there to enjoy ourselves.”
Silver will bank their hopes on attackers Uchizi Vunga, Andrew Joseph and Binwell Katinji, midfielders Levison Maganizo, Chikondi Kamanga and Zebron Kalima and defenders McDonald Lameck and Maxwell Paipi.
On the other hand, Civo will look up to the likes of Frank Chizuze, Chikaiko Batson, Damiano Kunje and Dastain Banda.
To qualify for the semis, Civo saw off Chitipa United, Red Lions and
Mchinji Villa while the Reserve Bank of Malawi-sponsored outfit beat Mighty Tigers, FC Shire and holders Blue Eagles.
Winner of this afternoon’s match will face the victor between three-time champions FCB Nyasa Bullets and Mighty Wanderers, who meet in the other semi-final tomorrow at Kamuzu Stadium in Blantyre
