Nomads, BB battle for FDH Bank Cup final slot

The last one, five weeks ago, was a richly pulsating contest, a tight throat affair that shredded the nerves of the turnout and, in the end, a three-all stalemate proved a fitting result at Kamuzu Stadium in Blantyre.

And here we go again as domestic football powerhouses Mighty Mukuru Wanderers and Nyasa Big Bullets renew their rivarly this afternoon, but this time in a battle for a final slot of the FDH Bank Cup.

The setting is also different and the latest episode of the Blantyre derby, the most sought-after fixture on the domestic scene, is Bingu National Stadium (BNS) in Lilongwe.

Unlike the previous showdown, this time one team will come out triumphant while the other will bow out from the showpiece that goes with a whopping K25 million ultimate prize for the winner.

Today’s clash will evoke memories of the 2018 Airtel Top 8 semi-final encounter at the same venue which the People’s Team won 2-1.

As expected, there has been a lot of hype in the countdown to the big match spiced by a flurry of mind games from both camps.

The Nomads, who last won a silverware in 2019 when they lifted the Fisd Challenge Cup, spoke tough ahead of the fixture with their technical director Eddingtone Ng’onamo boldly declaring that they will come out victorious.

He said: “It’s more about pride and emotions when we face Bullets, but I can confidently say we are ready for them and come tomorrow [today], we’ll beat them. This is our time.”

Ng’onamo, however, declined to comment on how they will approach the game.

“For now, that remains in the classified category, but we have executed a good game plan and we have worked on all the shortfalls that we noted in the previous encounter,” he said.

On the other hand, the People’s Team gaffer Kalisto Pasuwa was cautious, saying they hope to improve on their previous performance.

He said: “Wanderers are one of the most experienced teams in the country, a team that cannot be underrated and can change on each given day.

“This is a cup game where you don’t get a second chance, so we’ll throw everything into it.”

However, the Zimbabwean tactician said five players, namely Babatunde Adepoju, Lanjesi Nkhoma, Alick Lungu Righteous Banda and Yankho Singo are doubtful starters due to different reasons.

On his part, Bullets chief administration officer Albert Chigoga urged their fans to throng BNS.

He said: “This will be a designated slaughter house where everyone will witness an embarrassing defeat to be inflicted on Wanderers.

“This has come too soon for Wanderers, we enjoy having an edge over them and a family affair [against our reserve side] is in the offing.”

Statistically, the odds are tipped in Bullets favour as the last time they lost to Wanderers in a cup match was in 2015 in the Carlsberg Cup while in the TNM Super League, Bullets have only lost once to their rivals in the past decade and that was last season.

But the Nomads will be buoyed by their 1-0 win over Silver Strikers last weekend in a league match while Bullets are smarting from back-to-back 2-0 losses to Tanzanian outfit Simba SC in the CAF Champions League preliminary round.

While the Nomads have not won a silverware in the past three years, Bullets are holders of the Airtel Top 8.

Wanderers will be inspired by their new-signing Robin Ngalande, a former Europe-based supremely gifted attacker who should mesh potently with the likes of Yamikani Chester, Francis Mkonda and Felix Zulu to create chances for Vincent Nyangulu, Misheck Botomani and Muhammad Sulumba or Chiukepo Msowoya.

Captain Stanely Sanudi will lead the defence which should include Nigerian Adeleke Kolowale, Miracle Gabeya and Balakasi.

On the other hand, with the gangly Nigerian forward Babatunde Adepoju and Lanjesi Nkhoma doubtful due to illness, wonderkid Patrick Mwaungulu, Anthony Mfune and Hassan Kajoke are tipped to team up upfront for Bullets with Chimwemwe Idana, Ernest Petro and veteran Henry Kabichi greasing the wheels of industry in midfield.

Nixon Nyasulu, Precious Sambani, Gomezgani Chirwa and Kesten Simbi should form the rear guard.

The winner of today’s contest will face Bullets’ reserves who beat fellow second-tier side Extreme FC in the semis.

general secretary Frank Chitembeya, said they would not comply with the order.which through its

He said: “We are buying none of that and we are ready to tussle with them even if it means going to court because if anything, it is them [council] who have delayed the process.

“We gave them our roadmap, including the proposed date for the elections which is December 17 and they never responded because they had their own interests.” The association was initially supposed to hold elections last November, but they were postponed after Sports Council demanded that they should only conduct the polls after amending their constitution as demanded by their affiliates.