Battle of titans in Malawi Carlsberg Cup semi-finals
This weekend promises thrills in the battle for Carlsberg Cup as teams who will play in the finals will be decided with explosive fixtures in Blantyre and Lilongwe involved top clubs, Bullets, Silver Strikers , Be Forward Wanderers and Moyale.
Big Bullets vs Silver Strikers @ Kamuzu Stadium (2:30pm) 15th August 2015 Saturday
Holders Big Bullets are firm favourites to reach the final when they take on out-of-form Silver Strikers in an Carlsberg Cup semi-final at the soccer cathedral Kamuzu Stadium on Saturday.
The Peoples teams come into this game having tested only one defeat against Blue Eagles in their past 10 domestic matches.
Big Bullets coach Mabvuto Lungu noted in the build-up to this game that his side has improved from last season, when they ended their trophy drought, and recent results back his claims.
Indeed Big Bullets have matured into a side that can win in different ways. In their recent run in the league they blew away teams like Mighty Be Forward Wanderers , but they also found ways to grind results in tight games as they did against the likes of Civo United.
On Saturday, they may need to be bold because this fixture usually is always tricky. The last two meetings between the area 47 out-fit and the Ndirande township based side have yielded 2 goals with Mabvuto Lungu’s men coming out on top in those low-scoring matches.
While Bullets approach this game in scintillating form, Silver Strikers are winless in their last game in the Inter City tournament having lost to Civo United and Big Bullets.
Their league campaign has largely been disappointing and even the departure of some of their key players like Frank Banda, Charles Swini, Chimodzi Jnr and Chawanangwa Kawonga move to last season has not been helpful as they are now fourth in the table .
However, Big Bullets should not fool themselves that they have been having an upper hand against the bankers at Kamuzu Stadium because this is a cup a game, not only a cup game, but a cup Silver Strikers is yet to lift.
Likely coach Stain Chirwa will be invading Blantyre on a mission to progress through in order to stand a chance of winning the Carlsberg Cup for the first time.
Big Bullets team news
- Yamikani Fodya, Sankhani Mkandawire and Bashir Maunde have been passed fit.
- Owen Chaima is available for selection after recovering from a shoulder injury that has kept him out for a month.
- In summary, Big Bullets is injury free against Silver Strikers
Silver Strikers team news
- The bankers had an injury scare on their midfielder genius Ndaziona Chatsalira but he has now been passed fit.
- In summary, the bankers will invade Blantyre with every player fit and it will be to Stain Chirwa’s choice to start player A or B against Bullets.
Moyale Barracks vs Mighty Be Forward Wanderers @ Civo Stadium (2:30pm) 16th August 2015 Sunday
Mighty Be Forward Wanderers will be aiming to become the most successful team in the history of the Carlsberg Cup when they face Moyale Barracks at the Civo Stadium on Sunday in Lilongwe.(kick-off 2.30pm).
The Nomads pruned Rookies Dedza Young Soccer to reach the semi-final, while the Mzuzu based soldiers showed their fellow soldiers Kamuzu Barracks an exit-door in a Carlsberg Bottle Store.
On paper, the Nomads start as strong favourites against the soldiers, but in a cup game you predict the outcome of the game at your own risk.
History has shown that Moyale always give Wanderers headache and come Sunday there will be fire in Area 3.
The Nomads coach Elijah Kananji is aware that if he will carry the day, then he stands a chance of making history as far as Malawi soccer is concerned.
Kananji won the cup last year when he was coaching Bullets, and if he can repeat the same this year with Wanderers alas! It will be a bonus plus to the cool-calm young coach.
The only setback for the Nomads is a series of injuries to some of their key players like Francis Mlimbika, Jabulani Linje and their engine room Rafiqu Mussa.
Back in the barracks, coach Nicholas Mhango has enough arsenals to gun down the Nomads in the likes of the fukizi brothers ( chrispin and chriford) , Deus Nkutu and Nchopicho njewa.
All in all it will be nyerere vs jumbo battle at Civo Stadium to findout, who will float in a Carlsberg Beer basin.
Team news
Wanderers
Wanderers will be without Francis Mlimbika, Jabulani Linje and Rafiq Mussa due to injuries but otherwise should be at full strength.
Ishamel Thindwa and Victor Mpinganjira are in contention after returning to training following recent injuries.
Moyale Barracks
- There are no injury concerns in the soldiers camp, but the only setback is that they will miss the services of their two players due to yellow cards.
victor phiri showing moyale’s jersey sizanyirendazo mbuzi inu!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
bullets ndi more tinamva kuwawa tidakasambabe mkaka ngakhale tilibe sponsorship. BB is a winning brand and it can promote other brands within and outside the country. People can invest in it. Maule motooooo!
Moyale inyamula cup
Silver ndi deal, iliponso ina? Lero wina alira pa Kamuzu Stadium, bora ndewu ayi.
Eish, guys kuli kanthu pa Kamuzu stadium. Mpaka inuyo mukawonera nawo gameyi? Ndife aganyu basi tizimvera pa radio, i cant say kut i hav no cash. U cashgate, kkkkkkkkkkkk, ikutilepheretsa kunjoya pa Town!
Dont start taiking b4 game start aftar alwaz palestinar
Best wishes to Big Bullets!
#Manoma adyamo mosavuta mwa #Moyale,,,osafuna akhale
Zioneka But Finals Will B Btwn Bullets And Moyale.Bullets Will Win And Lift The Cup Again.Amene Safuna Akagwire Ng’ona Mchira.Maule Moto Kuti Buuuu!