Nomads seek divine intervention at Catholic church

Just hours before lining up against Civil Service United (Civo) in the final for the Standard Bank Knock-Out Cup final, Mighty Be Forward Wanderers FC sought God’s helping hand when the bulk of the team attended the morning mass at Maula Cathedral of the Catholic church in Lilongwe.

Clad in Be-Forward track suits, the team, led by general secretary Mike Butawo and team manager Steve Madeira attended the entire English service at the fully packed church.

After the mass celebration, some faithful requested to have group photographs with the team just outside the Cathedral.

Speaking in an interview with Nyasa Times after the church serving, Butawo said there was nothing unusual with the team members attending the church service.

“There is nothing unusual. All our players and officials are God fearing and we don’t believe in going to witch doctors or using juju ahead of a match. We believe in God the Almighty, who has helped us reach the stage where we are,” said Butawo.

Despite going into the afternoon clash as pre-match favourites, the Nomads will be against some odds as no any voted side has ever won the Standard Bank Knock-Out Cup.

The Nomads had to be voted into this year’s competition by Standard Bank customers, having failed to finish in the top six during the previous league season.

Top six teams in the preceding league season plus four voted teams participate in the competition with the former earning automatic qualification whereas the voted sides participate in preliminary play-offs to complete the quarterfinal pairs.