Silver coach tips Airtel Top 8semis in Mafco’s favour
Silver Strikers outspoken coach Pieter de Jongh says the odds are tipped in Mafco FC’s favour in this afternoon’s Airtel Top 8 semi-final at Bingu National Stadium in Lilongwe.
The winner will face FCB Nyasa Bullets in the final scheduled for February 6 2024.
In an interview yesterday, the Dutch coach said he is not amused with the arrangement of the fixtures.
He said: “It is not fair that we played the Castel Challenge Cup semi-final [against Bangwe All Stars] on Saturday and then we are playing Mafco in another semi-final tomorrow [today] before playing the Castel Cup final against Bullets this Saturday.
“Three matches within six days, where is the fair play?”
“We were forced to depart on Saturday evening for Lilongwe after the match and the last player was dropped at home at 3am on Sunday.”
De Jongh said Mafco are the favourites to win “because they are fresh while as for us, we had a rest on Sunday and then no Christmas for the players as we’ll be back in training ahead of the game on Tuesday [today]”.
Nevertheless, the coach said he expects a tough game.
“They [Mafco] are a good side, very physical and intimidating as well,” he said.
But reacting to Silver’s concerns, FAM competitions and communications director Gomezgani Zakazaka played down the issue.
He said: “This is professional football and there is a space of 72 hours between their last match and the next game. So, that should be enough time for them to recover.
“That has also been the case this season where a team plays three games in a week. Having said that, we wish them all the best.”
On the other hand, the Malawi Defence Force side’s coach Pritchard Mwansa dismissed De Jongh’s claims that his side has an advantage.
He said: “Those are just mind games and we are buying none of that. We are focusing on our preparations and the boys are ready.”
The Salima-based outfit is eyeing a second final appearance this season after the FDH Bank Cup in which they lost to Bullets 3-0.
They will bank their hopes in the likes of captain Paul Ndhlovu, Zikani Sichinga, Auspicious Kadzongolo, Bernard Chimaimba and Mphatso Filimoni.
Midfielders Chimwemwe Idana, captain Chikondi Kamanga and Duncan Nyoni are expected to keep the engines running for Silver to supply Patrick Macheso and Atusaye Nyondo upfront.
The last time the two teams met was in the second round of the TNM Super League which ended goalless.
