Ekhaya FC will face Zomba-based Red Lions in the Sapitwa 4 Football Tournament opener tomorrow at Mulanje Park Stadium before paving the way for a clash between Goshen City Dedza Dynamos and topflight league champions Mighty Wanderers FC.
The fixtures follow the two-day tournament’s draw conducted in Blantyre on Wednesday.
The event’s lead organiser Chimwemwe Nyirenda yesterday
said they expect fireworks in the fourth edition that will conclude with the final on Sunday.
The winners of the opening matches will face-off in the final on Sunday at the same venue whereas the losing sides will engage in a third-place playoff.
Nyirenda, who is also Super League of Malawi executive member, said: “We are set to roll out the fourth edition, which promises to be competitive and entertaining.
roll out. | Solomon Manda
“The first game will be played at 12:30 pm while the second match will roll into action at 3 pm.
“Football fans will pay K2 000 to watch both matches on day one and the same will happen on day two.”
Meanwhile, the four teams yesterday confirmed their readiness for the showdown.
Wanderers assistant coach McDonald Mtetemera said although the main purpose of the tournament is to prepare for the new season, they will try their best to lift the trophy.
“It will be absurd for us to lose this pre-season tournament being the elite league champions,” he said.
But Dynamos coach Alex Ngwira, whose side are the Castel Challenge Cup runners-up, said they will not be pushovers as they are set to give the Nomads tough time.
Meanwhile, Ekhaya coach Enos Chatama said they have left no stone unturned in their pursuit for glory although their main focus is on building combinations for his charges.
On his part, Lions coach Malumbo Mkandawire said they will give their all in the tournament because the ,matches will help them have a good picture of their readiness for Super League return after winning the inaugural NBS Bank National Division League.
The Sapitwa 4 Tournament, which has Premier Bet Malawi as the main sponsors, will be broadcast live on Malawi Broadcasting Corporation (MBC) Television, MBC TV 2 On-the-GO, MBC Radio 2 FM and MBC Digital.
FCB Nyasa Big Bullets won the last edition after beating Ekhaya FC 1-0 in the final.
Mighty Tigers and Creck Sporting Club were the other teams involved last year.
