Bullets, Nomads in tough draw: Malawi Carlsberg Cup
Bullets FC and Mighty Wanderers will have a difficult time to make up for the Presidential Cup disappointment after being handed tough fixtures in the Carlsberg Cup national draw held on Monday at Chiwembe Technical and Development Centre in Blantyre.
The ‘people’s team’ face TNM Super League champions Silver Striker in the first round in a repeat of the Presidential Cup while the rivals Mighty Wanderers face Red Lions away in the round of 16.
The fixtures are a repeat of Presidential Cup ties for the two Blantyre based sides.
Bullets were knocked out of the Presidential Cup after they lost 1-0 to the bankers at Civo Stadium while Wanderers were also booted out by Lions in the same competition.
The only difference is that this time the bankers will have to travel to the Southern Region to fulfill their fixture probably at Kamuzu Stadium while the Nomads travel to Zomba for the game.
Bullets chairman Malinda Chinyama said they were not worried with the fixture.
“We cannot avoid meeting big teams if we want to win the cup,” Chinyama said.
“Even if we would have been handed a fairer game it is not a guarantee that we would win because cup games are always unpreditable.”
But he said although playing at Kamuzu Stadium could be an advantage to them it would be tough facing the Strikers.
Outspoken Wanderers General Secretary David Kanyenda said they would go flat out to make up for the Presidential Cup loss.
“This is our chance to avenge the loss to them. We will prepare for them,” said Kanyenda in reaction to the draw.
In a related development, sponsors Carlsberg Malawi have pleaded for clubs to observe rules and regulations and avoid violence and hooliganism.
“Our message is very clear. We are sponsoring this cup in order to develop football. Nothing else,” Senior brands manager Twikale Chirwa said.
“The draw is very interesting because big teams are playing each other; small teams are also playing each other. No team has been protected in this draw.”
Preliminary Round
Mzuni vs Namitete Young Rangers, Chanco vs Mponela, Envirom vs Epac FC, Mzuzu United FC vs. Kamuzu Barracks FC, Sadzi FC vs. Bvumbwe Research FC, Mzuzu City Rangers vs. Azam Tigers FC, G Kabwafu FC vs. Black Stars FC, Mafco FC vs. Maicc FC
ROUND OF 16 ( 17/18 August)
Bullets FC vs Silver Strikers
Mzuzu United/ Barracks vs. Blue Eagles FC
Red Lions FC vs Mighty Wanderers FC
Chanco/Mponela vs Mzuni/ Namitete
Blantyre United FC vs Civo FC
Mzuzu City/ Azam Tigers vs Mafco/ Maicc
Kabwafu/Black Stars vs Moyale FC
Evrom/Epac vs Sadzi/ Bvumbwe
