Standard Bank Cup feast goes to Lilongwe
As the drought for top flight action takes its toll on Blantyre, Mzuzu and Zomba based soccer enthusiasts, it’s a full plate of action for capital city fans, who are expected to flock to the city’s major stadiums for the deciding Standard Bank Cup Top 8 knock out clashes.
Saturday, the roads will lead to Civo and Nankhaka stadiums, venues for Top 8 second leg clashes involving Civo United and Moyale Barracks as well as Blue Eagles versus Silver Strikers, respectively.
Civo and Moyale played out a one-all draw at Chitowe Stadium last Saturday but this time-round, a draw will not be entertained as only one team has to progress to the semi finals.
At Nankhaka, defending champions Blue Eagles will be out to reverse the 3-1 deficit they suffered at the hands of Silver Strikers at Silver Stadium last week.
Coach Deklerk Msakakuona admitted after the defeat that the defending champions had put themselves in a awkward but was quick to point out that everything was possible.
“We are in a difficult position but football is a game of surprises so anything can happen,” the coach said.
Silver’s newly recruited coach Franco Ndawa knows the pressure is on the opponents and did not hide his intentions, when asked about his game plan
“The pressure is on Blue Eagles and all we need to do is score an early goal or two and the game will be over,” Ndawa said yesterday.
After flocking to different venues on Saturday, the Lilongwe soccer enthusiast will gather at one point- Silver Stadium, where Epac FC will be up against Big Bullets in another Top 8 mouth watering fixture.
The ‘people’s team’ will go onto the turf at Slver with a one-goal advantage, having defeated Epac 1-0 in the first leg at Balaka last Saturday.
The only Standard Bank action in the south is at Balaka Stadium tomorrow (September 22, 2012), where Escom United host Mighty Wanderers.
The two sides also drew one-all in the first leg at Kalulu Stadium last week but this time the dreaded penalty shoot-outs will be awaiting them should they ground to another 1-all draw.
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