TNM Super League champions Silver Strikers and Castel Challenge Cup winners Mighty Wanderers ring up the curtain on the 2025/26 domestic football season when they clash in the NBS Bank plc-sponsored Charity Shield at Bingu National Stadium in Lilongwe this afternoon.
Since its inception in 2016, the shield has been dominated by FCB Nyasa Bullets, who have won all the past seven editions. But there will be a breath of fresh air today with new winners on the cards.
And after being reduced to bridesmaid roles by Bullets in the past editions, the Bankers and the Nomads get their chance to get their hands on the shield today.
Coaches of both sides, Peter Mgangira of Silver and Nomads’ Bob Mpinganjira said in separate interviews that the match will give them a true picture about their state of preparedness for the new season.
Silver lost last year’s edition to Bullets 7-6 on post-match penalties after playing out a goalless draw in regulation time and Mgangira said they will be out to get it right this time around.
“We go into every match with the hope of winning and this one is no exception because if we win, it will be a big motivation as we look forward to kick-start out league title defence campaign,” he said.
“But the priority will be to gauge how prepared we are for the new season.”
Mgangira also said the match gives them an opportunity to see how their new signings are settling in.
The Bankers’ new signings include strikers Sam Adeyemi Emmanuel Allan, wing back Precious Sambani, midfielders Festus Duwe and Felix Demakude.
The Reserve Bank of Malawi-sponsored side has also promoted a couple of players from their reserve side.
On the other hand, Mpinganjira, whose side last featured in the shield in 2023 when they lost to Bullets 2-1, said the match is important because a win will boost their confidence ahead of Super League kick-off.
He said: “Apart from being a competitive match on its own, it also gives us a chance to gauge ourselves ahead of the league kick-off.
“We signed a number of new players, whom we have featured in a couple of games and this is the ideal match to give us a picture of what to expect and see if there are areas that still need some fine-tuning.”
The Lali Lubani Road outfit has, among others, signed goalkeeper Chancy Mtete, defenders Masiya Manda and Nanison Mbewe and strikers Promise Kamwendo and Blessings Mwalilino.
Last season, Silver beat the Nomads in all their three meetings, twice in the league (2-0 and 0-1 as well as 1-0 in Airtel Top 8).
Sponsors NBS Bank plc this week set the hype for this year’s edition by announcing an increased package from K40 million to K60 million.
The bank’s newly-appointed chief executive officer Temwani Simwaka said they believe in showing up for their communities by being present where it matters most.
She said: “That is why this year, under the theme ‘We care a Little More’, we are affirming our commitment to the people of Malawi not just through words, but action.
“Over the years, the Charity Shield has evolved into a powerful platform for social impact and we are proud to share the journey we have taken together.”
This is the fourth time the bank is bankrolling the annual event which marks the start of a new season and raises funds for a charitable cause.
