Four teams enter the race to decide finalists of the K20 million (about $68 000) Carlsberg Cup.
Blue Eagles host little-known Evirom at Silver Stadium in a game the cops are tipped to win by virtue of their talent which includes Flames players Patrick Masanjala, Steve Chagoma, Micium Mhone and Innocent Bokosi.
At Mzuzu Stadium, Super League rookies Kabwafu FC face 2010 TNM Super League champions Escom United in what is arguably the more intriguing tussle of the semi-finals.
“With our financial situation, the Carlsberg Cup is enough motivation for the players to do well,†said Escom chairperson Fanuel Nkhono in a telephone interview from Blantyre on Thursday.
On paper and if statistics are anything to go by, Escom look stronger with experienced players such as Jacob Ngwira, Chiukepo Msowoya, Noel Mkandawire and Kondwani Gawani.
They beat Kabwafu 3-0 in Zomba in the first meeting and drew 0-0 in the second, which was a league encounter.
“We are going to Mzuzu to get a result and make it to the finals. But we are not underrating them (Kabwafu),†said Nkhono.
Kabwafu are playing in their first major cup at an advanced level and according to their general secretary Watson Zimba, they are inspired to have reached this far in the competition.
“Everyone is proud of Kabwafu FC. There is a lot of good will here and everyone is chipping in something to make the players happy. We are a community team and the people believe our victory is theirs too,†said Zimba.
Blue Eagles face Evirom who booted the cops’ reserve side out of the competition last week as the senior police officers sent Red Lions packing.
Coach Deklerk Msakauona said on Thursday that they have rectified flaws he noted in the game against Red Lions.
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