National Sports

Nomads’ injury returnees unfit for semis

 

Mighty Be Forward Wanderers will miss four key players in tomorrow’s Standard Bank Cup semi-final clash with Blue Eagles, the club has said.

Defender Francis Mulimbika, striker Ishmael Thindwa, midfielders Rafik Mussa and Jabulani Linje, who have been out for almost two months have recovered but are yet to regain match fitness.

Mussa got injured during a Carlsberg Cup quarter-final against Dedza Young Soccer Saints at Kamuzu stadium early August while Mulimbika, Thindwa and Linje sustained the injuries during training.

Speaking in an interview yesterday, the Nomads’ general secretary Mike Butao said the players have started

training.

Butao (R) presents the donated items to one of  the players Peter Nselema
Butao (R) presents the donated items to one of
the players Peter Nselema

However, he said they would not be fit to face Blue Eagles at Civo Stadium in Lilongwe.

“I am pleased to announce that the four players are back from injury. They have started light training but it’s a blow that they may not be available for selection on Thursday,” Butao said.

“Nonetheless, we believe that the available players are capable of winning the match.”

The GS was, however, optimistic that the returnees would be available next week during Super League matches.

Meanwhile, Butao says they are targeting to win the Standard Bank trophy in a bid to impress their sponsors Be Forward so they can extend their contract.

The two sides signed a K70 million ($127,272) one-year contract which ends next year.

Meanwhile, Blue Eagles assistant coach Wilson Chidati said they have received a major boost ahead of the match after their midfield duo of Gilbert Chirwa and Tsanzo Dalio returned from injury.

“The two are fully fit and will be included in the semi-final match,” he said.

Chidati said with Bullets running away with the Super League title, Standard Bank Cup offers Blue Eagles the only realistic chance of winning a trophy this season.

The assistant coach also said their players who were with the Flames— John Banda and Schumacher Kuwali—are in good shape and started training yesterday.

With the game on tomorrow, Wanderers have received soccer equipment worth K3.5 million ($6,364) from their sponsor as token of appreciation for winning Carlsberg Cup.

The equipment comprised 32 pairs of branded soccer boots and 37 branded travelling bags for the players and the technical panel.

Each bag came with the name of the player or member of the technical panel.

“This is a big boost ahead of our Standard Bank Cup semi-final in Lilongwe. The players now know that the sponsors will always reward good performance,” said Wanderers’ general secretary Mike Butao.

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