Nomads in tricky Presidential Cup fixture
Mighty Wanderers have said they will not throw caution to the wind when they face Chinamwali in a Presidential Cup quarter-final qualifying match this afternoon at Zomba Community Centre ground.
The Nomads, who were the first team to win the tournament in 2009 and the only side to have won it twice, said their sights are set on winning it for the third time.
The Lali Lubani Road outfit’s team manager Chiyembekezo Zidana on Friday said they cannot afford the luxury of underrating their Zomba-based opponents.
“It is a tricky fixture because very often small teams go flat out whenever they face big guns and the fact that they will be playing at home makes it more difficult for us.
“So, we are going to approach the game with the seriousness it deserves in order to chalk a win and progress to the quarter-finals,” said Zidana.
He also said the Nomads’ arsenal is geared for the match.
“We played a build-up match against Escom United yesterday [Friday] and won 5-0 and if the performance and commitment from the players is anything to go by, then we are poised to win.
“But as I said, tomorrow’s [today] game is different because it is competitive,” said Zidana.
The Nomads will bank their hopes on Anthony Banda—who scored a brace in their 2-0 second-round victory over Chiradzulu United. The other potential match winners are international left back Bongani Kaipa, Francis Mulimbika, Tony Chitsulo, Jacob Ngwira, Benard Harawa, Cuthbert Sinetre, Innocent ‘Rooney’ Dzimbiri, Alfred Manyozo Jnr and Victor Mpinganjira.
Meanwhile, the Nomads supporters committee chairperson Yona Malunga is calling on the team’s fans who would like to cheer the team that transport is available at their club house at Chichiri and charges are K700 each. The truck ferrying supporters is scheduled to depart at 9.30am.
However, the pick of the day is between Mafco and Blue Eagles scheduled for Chitowe in Dwangwa
Blantyre-based non-league side Chinangwa Madrid travel to Mzuzu to face Kabwafu at Mzuzu University.
Chinangwa’s coach Sam Mangasanja said they are optimistic of qualifying for the quarter-finals. Mikundi take on Mzuzu United at Civo.
As we went to press yesterday, Epac were taking on Silver Strikers and the winner will face defending champions Big Bullets at Civo Stadium whereas Azam Tigers were taking on unpredictable Karonga United at Mzuzu University.
