Score to settle
Mafco FC say they have a score to settle when they face Mighty Mukuru Wanderers in the semi-final of the Pachema FDH Bank Cup this afternoon at Kamuzu Stadium in Blantyre.
The Nomads have beaten the Malawi Defence Force outfit back-to-back in the TNM Super League this season, but Mafco coach Pritchard Mwansa reckons this will be payback time.
Wanderers won the first round encounter 2-0 away at Nankhaka Stadium in Dwangwa, Nkhotakota in July before completing a double last month with a 1-0 home victory.
Said the Salima-based side’s gaffer in an interview yesterday: “Losing three times to the same team will be unbearable for us. This is a must-win match.
“Being a cup match, the hype and approach will be different. We will fight to the very end.”
Their recent second round encounter brought a deep sense of injustice after the final whistle as Mwansa felt the officiating personnel failed to take a firm line and let them down.
“We hope the referees will act professionally tomorrow, otherwise it pains a lot to lose because of biased officiation,” he said.
His Wanderers counterpart Mark Harrison said being a semi-final, form goes out of the window.
He said: “Yes, we beat them twice in the league, but that means nothing now.
“There is a lot at stake being a cup match, they will give out everything to get a result as much as we’ll do.
“There is no way we can sit back, we have to go for a win. We’ll take the game to them and try to get the result we want, but at the same time we have to be respectful.”
The Briton said being a physical side, they expect Mafco to make life difficult for them.
He said: “They will intimidate us, that is for sure, but we have to rise above that and match their physicality.
“So, yes, we are expecting a difficult encounter, but I’m hoping we can get the right result.”
The Nomads will look up to the likes of defenders Stanely Sanudi and Lawrence Chaziya, midfielders Vitumbiko Kumwenda, Francisco Madinga and Wisdom Mpinganjira, winger Gaddie Chirwa and striker Vincent Nyangulu.
On the other hand, Zikani Sichinga, the only player to have scored a hat-trick in the current edition, carries the soldiers’ hopes and will be aided by the likes of Stanley Malata, Mphatso Philiemon and Auspicious Kadzongola with captain Paul Ndhlovu and Dan Chimbalanga marshaling their defence.
Winners of today’s clash will face the winner between defending champions FCB Nyasa Bullets and Mafco, who face off in the other semi-final on September 24 at the same venue.
Meanwhile sponsors, FDH Bank plc, have said they are impressed with the level of competition.
The bank’s marketing manager Ronald Chimchere said: “It has been highly entertaining and as sponsors, we are happy. We are curious to see who will make it to the final and win the K25 million ultimate prize.
“We wish the teams all the best as they prepare for this match.
“We also want to take this opportunity to thank all stakeholders, who have made the tournament a success this far.”
The Nomads’ path to the semis was fairly smooth, having faced lower league sides.
They beat Mpondasi of Mangochi 2-0 in the round of 32, before knocking out Zingwangwa United in the round of 16 in all-Blantyre affair with a 4-1 win. They went on to thrash Santhe Admarc od Kasungu 5-0 in the quarter-finals.
On the other hand, Mafco beat Ekwendeni Hardknockers 4-2 in the round of 32 before ouusting Blue Eagles 5-3 in the round of 16 through post-match penalties after playing out a two-all draw in regulation time.
Then they sailed through to the semis again through penalties after beating Bangwe All Stars 5-4 following a goalless draw in regulation time.
Both teams have never won the cup whose holders are FCB Nyasa Bullets.
