Nomads, BB ready for bloody encounter: Fans unhappy with adjusted gate fees
As the count-down to the Standard Bank Cup crucial semi final ties begins, the four rival camps say they are all set for the big show, which starts tomorrow with Blantyre based giants Mighty Wanderers and Big Bullets battling for the first final slot at Silver Stadium in Lilongwe.
In normal circumstances, the clash involving the country’s age-old rivals would have taken place at the giant Kamuzu Stadium in Blantyre but the closure of the stadium by government left the organizers with no choice but to stage the match in Lilongwe.
Despite playing away from their home base, both sides say they are ready to entertain Lilongwe fans and progress to the final.
“I said after our game against Epac last week that we are ready for Wanderers and nothing has changed. We respect Wanderers as our rivals but they do not pose a real threat to us. We have a very good squad capable of sweeping trophies and the campaign has just started,” said Bullets’ coach Eddie Ng’onamo.
Wanderers’ general secretary David Kanyenda said his side was equally ready for Bullets.
“We are prepared to teach Bullets another soccer lesson and we just urge our fans to come in their large numbers and watch their team reach the final,” said Kanyenda.
Wanderers secretary described Lilongwe as his team’s second home- basing on the large following the team enjoys in the capital city.
Bullets, who equally enjoy a large following in the capital city are likely to pin their hopes on their man-of-the moment Gabadinho Mhango, who was responsible for the team’s Presidential Cup final glory over Moyale Barracks.
On the other hand, Wanderers will heavily rely on ex-professional footballer Joseph Kamwendo, who has been scoring vital goals for the Lali Lubani side.
After the Wanderers/Bullets clash, city rivals Silver Strikers and Civo will come on the same stage Sunday, battling for the remaining final slot.
This is another mouthwatering fixture that should keep fans on their toes. For Silver’s new coach Franco Ndawa, it will be his first city derby against the rival camp.
No wonder the coach has been busy drilling his charges morning and afternoon ahead of the match.
“We have been preparing and we are ready. We know Civo will come hard to revenge the TNM Super League defeat but we have devised a formula to neutralize them and God willing, we will progress to the final,” said Ndawa.
Civo’s veteran coach Alex Masanjala said he had been working on polishing his blunt striking force, which has only scored one goal in two matches. The side scrapped through to the semi finals on the away goal rule after forcing a nil-all draw against Moyale Barracks in a
second leg match at Silver Stadium.
The teams drew 1-all at Chitowe Stadium during the first leg and Masanjala knows there is no question of any away goal in this semi final tie, where the winner goes straight to the final to meet either Wanderers or Bullets.
“Our defending has been very good but we have not been scoring as many goals in our recent matches. We have been working on our finishing and I hope the goals will come on Sunday,” said Masanjala.
Charges for the games are K2,000 VIP and Covered Stands and K1,000 open stands.
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