Extreme dare Bullets Reserves

Mchinji-based Extreme FC head coach Shadreck Masina says his charges are unshaken by Nyasa Big Bullets Reserves’ home advantage ahead of tomorrow’s FDH Bank Cup semi-final clash at Kamuzu Stadium in Blantyre.

This will be the first time the Mchinji-based outfit will be playing at Kamuzu Stadium, where Bullets Reserves hardly lose matches.

However, Masina believes his team has what it takes to deflate the high-flying Bullets Reserves at their own backyard.

On their way to the semis, Extreme booted out fellow second-tier side Changalume Barracks of Zomba with a 2-0 quarter-final triumph at the Balaka Stadium while Reserves hammered TNM Super League giants Blue Eagles 2-1 at the Kamuzu Stadium.

“Our mission is to reach the final and we do not fear any team that stands in our way. We know Bullets Reserves are a tough nut to crack at their backyard but our determination to get into the final outweighs the struggles we might face along the way,” Masina said.

Bullets Reserves head coach Enos Chatama yesterday said although they have home ground advantage over fellow second-tier league outfit, they will not underrate their opponents.

“We will approach the game with the same mentality we have when preparing for any other match. In cup competitions, there is no small team and complacency is not required. All I can say is that we are ready for the match,” he said.

Winners of tomorrow’s match will progress to the final where they will battle for ultimate glory against either Nyasa Big Bullets or Mighty Mukuru Wanderers, who will face off in the other semi-final on September 24.

FDH Bank plc senior marketing and communications manager Ronald Chimchere yesterday said they were happy with level of competition and they expect a thrilling semi-final on Saturday.

“Our excitement also comes from the fact that Bullets Reserves and Extreme are regional league teams. This speaks alot about our investment into talent developing. It is our hope that players from these teams will go on to achieve great things in their career,” he said.

So far, 62 goals have been scored in the competition, where four players are on the summit of the scorers’ chart with three goals apiece. Bullets striker Babatunde Adepoju, Zeliat Nkhoma of Kamuzu Barracks, Lloyd Njaliwa (Moyale Barracks) and Davie Major (Changalume Barracks) top the list.