Silver, Tigers fight for K9m Standard Bank cheque

Mighty Wanderers and Moyale Barracks delight in the glory of being the only teams to have won the Standard Bank Knockout Cup twice, but this afternoon either Silver Strikers or Azam Tigers will also achieve that feat at Civo Stadium in Lilongwe.

This is the final of the eighth edition of the competition.

Such is the excitement that after 90 minutes of nerve-shredding action, one team will have the luxury of carting home K4 million (about $10 526) more than the other. It will be time to separate boys from men as the champions take to the podium to be handed the cup and the K9 million (about $2 368) winner’s cheque.

It is a showpiece so unique that one team will make K9 million after just three games, or to be precise 270 minutes, what a return!

The capital has been gripped with such a wave of football fever in the countdown to the final, what with the presence of one of Africa’s finest forwards and Ghana’s captain Asamoah Gyan spicing up the event as a special guest. There will also be the razzmatazz of skydivers flying in with the silverware.

The Bankers will be making their fourth final appearance in this tournament, but sadly, in their past two consecutive attempts (2012 and 2013), they laboured in vain and lost to Mighty Wanderers.

Silver were also the first team to win the cup in 2007. They beat Escom United 1-0 courtesy of Atusaye Nyondo’s strike while Tigers won it against Civo United two years later through post-match penalties.

Based on class and previous achievements, that include winning the flagship Super League three times on the trot, the Bankers are favourites to carry the day, but KauKau will be buoyed by the fact that Silver have not won a cup in the past seven years. The last cup Silver won was the Standard Bank Knockout Cup.

Another interesting aspect is that both coaches Franco Ndawa of Tigers and Silver’s Stein Chirwa lost the two previous finals of the competition against Wanderers. Ndawa lost when he was in charge of the Bankers last year.

The two teams have met twice in competitive matches this season. Silver won the first-round league contest 1-0 while Tigers hit back by winning the Carlsberg Cup quarter-final by the same margin.

It is for this reason that Ndawa anticipates a cut-throat affair against his former side that dumped him unceremoniously mid last season.

“In as far as the bookmakers are concerned, we are underdogs because Silver are considered a big team compared to us.

“But that does not worry us. Silver could also play under pressure because this will be their third successive final attempt in this competition and they will be desperate. I have advised my players to take it easy and enjoy their game,” said Ndawa.

But Ndawa admitted that the absence of three key players—defenders Stanley Sanudi and Boston Kabango and midfielder Isaac Kaliati, who are with the Under-20 national team in Zambia, could be to their disadvantage.

“Obviously, they are our key players, but we do not want to read much into that. We have a pool of promising talent,” he said.

He also played down suggestions that it will be a grudge match for him considering how he was fired by Silver.

Tigers captain Malumbo Gondwe said morale in their camp is high.

“Everyone is raring to go and rather than induce panic, the absence of our colleagues is a source of inspiration whereby everyone is looking forward to giving out something extra. The presence of Gyan will also be a big motivation,” he said.

Silver coach Stein Chirwa said his charges are aware about the importance of this afternoon’s battle.

“We lost in the finals twice in the previous editions, therefore, to us this is a must-win game.

“It has also been sometime since we won a cup. We would love to give our fans something to cheer their spirits, especially considering that we do not have realistic chances to retain the league title,” said Chirwa.

He also dismissed suggestions that they are favourites to win this afternoon’s tie.

“People are entitled to their opinions, but we do not see it that way. We have played Tigers twice this season and on both occasions, we found it tough.

Silver will only be without their forward Chawanangwa Kawonga, who is also with the Junior Flames in Zambia, but such is the depth in their squad that they are not losing sleep over it as they could juggle between Lazaros Nyemera and Ndaona Daisi to partner experienced Rodrick Gonani .

Silver captain Lucky Malata said: “It has been a painful experience losing in cup final matches a number of times in the recent past, but this time we will give it our all.”

Seasoned defender James Sangala will marshal Tigers’ rearguard whereas Malumbo, Nafe Msasa and Bernard Harawa will orchestrate play from midfield to provide openings for Gomezgani Gondwe, Diverson Chilemba and Peter Kasonga upfront.