Dolo awoneke
It’s the final call in the chase for K17 million as FCB Nyasa Bullets face Mafco FC in Zamadolo Airtel Top 8 this afternoon at Kamuzu Stadium in Blantyre. It will be a rematch of the FDH Bank Cup final in October
when the People’s Team triumphed 3-0.
And while the Salima-based Malawi Defence Force side will be out to settle the scores and end their 10-year cup drought, Bullets are chasing a quadruple.
Bullets will also be out to make up for the previous edition’s penalty shoot-out defeat to their arch-rivals Mighty Mukuru Wanderers.
The match will draw the curtain to the delayed 2023 season in which Bullets shone brightly and could have the luxury of a clean sweep.
But even though they are the odds-on favourites owing to their remarkable run, Bullets coach Kallisto Pasuwa said they need to exercise caution.
He said: “Mafco are a side not to be underrated. They have beaten us before, they play good
football. An aggressive team, very good in counter-attacks and they keep possession.
“This will be a different game and our biggest worry is complacency. You can see even the mood of the boys, it’s like it is already done, but in football you can’t be doing that.
“We need to be accurate in utilising the chances that we’ll create.”
Nevertheless, the former Dynamos FC and Zimbabwe national football team coach said winning a quadruple will be remarkable.
Pasuwa said they will still be without goalkeeper Rabson Chiyenda, defenders Alick Lungu, Precious Sambani and Kesten Simbi and midfielder Mike Mkwate, who are nursing injuries.
They will also be without defender Blessings Mpokera, who is serving a red card suspension.
But such is the luxury that the People’s Team still has enough armoury with Richard Chimbamba tipped to guard the posts with Kenyan Clyde Senaji marshalling the defence while Patrick Mwaungulu, Yankho Singo and Precious Phiri will orchestrate play in midfield to keep the supply lines open for the likes of Maxwell Gasten Phodo and Lanjesi Nkhoma.
Bullets appeared at ease as they went through their final paces at Kamuzu Stadiumyesterday. No hint of nerves from a team soaring with confidence.
On the other hand, Mafco coach Pritchard Mwansa declared in an interview yesterday that it will be payback after the FDH Bank Cup humiliation.
He said: “That defeat still pains to this day and tomorrow’s game gives us an ideal opportunity to hit back.
“We have also not won a cup for some time and we want to end that drought. This will be a totally different game and there were lessons learnt from our previous meeting.
“Our preparations have gone on smoothly so far and the boys are ready.”
Captain Paul Ndhlovu will lead the soldiers from the back with Peter Kasonga, Mphatso Philiemon and Bernard Chimaimba leading the attack while Auspicous Kadzongolo and Zingani Sichinga control the engine room.
Mwansa’s troops were an oasis of calm as they worked on the final touches yesterday and could be overheard cracking jokes.
When the two teams met in the TNM Super League, Bullets thrashed Mafco 0-4 while the second round encounter ended goalless.
To qualify for the final, Bullets beat Blue Eagles 2-3 while Mafco ousted Silver Strikers 1-3 on post-match penalties after playing out a one-all draw in regulation time.
Mafco are in the final without winning a match in open play.
They qualified for the semis on away goal rule after drawing 1-1 against Kamuzu Barracks away. The first leg ended 0-0.
On the other hand, Bullets booted out Civil Service United 3-2 on aggregate, having won the first leg 0-2 in Lilongwe before losing the return match 1-2 in Blantyre
