BB Reserves, Extreme battle for FDH Bank Cup final slot
It has been eight years since a lower football league side reached the final of a national cup and such is set for a repeat this afternoon as Bullets Reserves host Mchinji-based Extreme FC at Kamuzu Stadium in the FDH Bank Cup semi-finals.
So far, the now-defunct Zomba United hold the record as the only second-tier league side to have achieved that feat when they reached the Carlsberg Cup final in 2014 before losing 2-0 to TNM Super League giants Nyasa Big Bullets main team.
Bullets Reserves coach Enos Chatama believes it is their turn to follow suit.
Last year, Reserves were booted out in the round of 32 following a 5-4 post-match defeat to their senior team after regulation time ended one-all.
“It is our dream to reach the final and eventually win a national cup. We are happy that we are very close to realising our dream and we are ready for the challenge that lies ahead,” said Chatama.
He said the fact that they have been slaying top-flight league giants on their way to this afternoon’s encounter, shows their determination to fulfil their mission.
Reserves knocked out giants Mighty WakaWaka Tigers in round of 32 with a 3-2 post-match penalties’ victory after a goalless draw, they saw off Red Lions 1-0 in the round of 16 and Blue Eagles 2-1 in the quarter-finals.
As for Extreme, they have come this far after beating fellow lower league teams. In the round of 32, they beat The Boyz 4-1 on post-match penalties after playing out a one-all draw in regulation. In round of 16 they beat Kadona Stars 1-0 and defeated in the round of 16 Changalume Barracks in the quarter-finals.
However, Extreme FC coach Shadreck Masina said they will not be intimidated facing giant-killers at their own back-yard.
“We have so far overcome a lot of struggles to reach this far and we do not see any obstacle that can stop us from reaching the final,” he said.
Nevertheless, that will be possible if Extreme FC players quickly cope with playing on an artificial turf where Bullets Reserves thrive with their pacy football.
Masina has confidence in his charges such as Beston Jimu, Maxwell Matewere and Chifundo George that they will deliver. So far, Jimu has two goals in the competition, one behind joint leading scorers Bullets’ Babatunde Adepoju, Zeliat Nkhoma of Kamuzu Barracks, Lloyd Njaliwa (Moyale Barracks) and Davie Major (Changalume Barracks).
Bullets Reserves hope that the likes of Chikumbutso Salima, Wongani Kaponya and Lytone Chinong’one, who have a goal each, will advance their agenda.
Winners of today’s clash will face either Nyasa Big Bullets or Mighty Mukuru Wanderers, who face off in the other semi-final on September 24, in the final.
FDH Bank plc senior marketing and communications manager Ronald Chimchere said they were happy with the level of competition and they expect a thrilling semi-final this afternoon.
“Our excitement also comes from the fact that Bullets Reserves and Extreme are regional league teams. This speaks a lot about our investment in talent development.,” he said.
