Nomads, Silver roll out Airtel money chase
Mighty Mukuru Wanderers set off their Zamadolo Airtel Top 8 title defence campaign this afternoon when they face Silver Strikers in the first leg of the quarter-finals at Bingu National Stadium in Lilongwe.
It will mark the start of the sixth edition of the tournament in the latest chase for the K17 million Airtel money.
The Nomads won the tournament in a spectacular fashion without conceding a goal last season, but they acknowledge that it won’t be a stroll in the park against the record two-time winners at their backyard.
In a pre-match interview on Thursday, Wanderers coach Mark Harrison said they are looking forward to the game.
Said the Briton: “Obviously we want to defend the title if we can, but it is not an easy game, by any means. It’s two legs and we don’t need to be on the wrong side of the result in the first game, we need a positive result to bring home.
“What can I say…I think It’s going to be a hell of game. Two strong sides. I am expecting a big and tough one.
“We are prepared as we can be. We played on Wednesday and travelled today [Thursday], we have a session tomorrow. So, not a great deal of time to prepare really.
“It’s straight into games at the moment, playing after every three days, so we just have to get on with the job and do what we can.”
His Silver counterpart Pieter De Jhong also said they expect a tough encounter.
Said the Dutch: “All things being equal, it should be an exciting game, we are up against a team with a lot of quality and they play good football.
“But playing the first leg at home, we need to take advantage of that and get a good result.”
He also said midfielder Chimwemwe Idana, who started on the bench in the 1-0 TNM Super League defeat to Dedza Dynamos Salima Sugar, will be in the first 11, following his return to the club.
The midfield workhorse, was thrown in at the start of the second half, but could not inspire the Reserve Bank of Malawi-sponsored outfit to victory.
“It’s good to have him back. He will start tomorrow [today]. The reason I put him on the bench was because he did not train, having rejoined us on the eve of the game and he was out of action for two months,” said De Jhong.
Apart from Idana, the other key men for Silver are blossoming forward Adiel Kaduya, Chikondi Kamanga, Chinsisi Maonga and Zebron Kalima while the Nomads’ arsenal includes Vincent Nyangulu, Gaddie Chirwa, Francisco Madinga, Wisdom Mpinganjira and captain Stanley Sanudi.
Silver still have bitter memories of how Wanderers ended their 11-match unbeaten run in the league in July with a 1-0 win when they were the only team yet to taste defeat.
On the other hand, the Nomads also have sour memories of how they lost the first edition final to Silver 10-9 through post-match penalties after a goalless draw in regulation time.
The Area-47-based side in Lilongwe won it again two years later after beating Karonga United in the final.
Last year, the Nomads won the competition after beating their age-old rivals FCB Nyasa Bullets 5-3 through post-match penalties after a 0-0 draw in regulation time.
The other teams that have won the competition are Bullets and Blue Eagles.
The other two-legged quarter-final matches in due course will see Bullets facing Civil Service United, Blue Eagles taking on Moyale Barracks and Kamuzu Barracks entertaining fellow soldiers Mafco FC.
and the cup games. honours in both the league
“Teams are very thankful to Egenco for keeping their word to continue with the spoonsorship.”
Nyirenda said the competition will run from next month to the second week of December at any of the three venues of Egenco Power Station Teams of Tedzani, Kapichira, and Nkula. “The tournament’s defending champions Malawi School of Government [MSG], formerly Staff Development Institute [SDI] will be under pressure as all the other teams are eying this lucrative cup,” he said.
