FINAL—Andrew Joseph
This year’s FDH Bank Cup final is odd with the colour of blue being a dominating feature ahead of tomorrow’s clash between Mighty Wanderers and Silver Strikers slated for Bingu National Stadium in Lilongwe.
Wanderers traditional colours have always been blue and white whereas Silver sport in sky blue and white.
The sponsors of the cup—FDH Bank plc—have blue as their corporate colour, completing the puzzle.
Indeed when the three blue colours meet, fireworks are expected to explode as the Capital City comes to a halt to witness the grueling encounter which will see one blue colour claiming the stakes,
The champions will pocket K35 million plus a glittering trophy.
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Both teams are cautious ahead of the encounter, with Wanderers eager to win it for the first time.
Since the inception of the competition in 2021, Wanderers have never won it nor reached the final.
It will be a perfect gift for Wanderers President Thom Mpinganjira if the team wins the cup.
It is an open secret that Mpinganjira is synonymous with FDH Bank, after he founded the financial institution.
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Despite investing a lot of money into the team, Wanderers have, in previous seasons, fell short of winning the cup owned by the businessman and well known philanthropist.
However, there is a renewed spirit at the Lali Lubani Road side this season as the team booted out rivals and FDH Bank Cup two-time winners FCB Nyasa Big Bullets 1-0, underlying their hunger for the cup,
Both Silver and Wanderers have been compact and solid and they seem more lethal having competed in Caf competitions this year.
Wanderers Chief Executive Officer Panganeni Ndovi kept his card closed to his chest saying the Nomads were prepared for the showdown.
“We know this is a tough game involving two experienced teams both enjoying a rich vein of form and experience from Caf competitions. It promises to be a great game. However, as Wanderers we are prepared to take on them the best way we can,” he said.
Ndovi said the team’s president was yet to dangle a carrot for his charges.
“Our club president decides when he wants to reward the players. At the moment he has not said anything and as a club we are treating this game as normal and recognizing its importance,” Ndovi said.
However, the Nomads got K20 million from Mpinganjira when they beat Bullets in the league 3-0 and then the Wanderers president ordered that the team should share K21 million from gate revenue after the side reached FDH Bank Cup final at Bullets’ expense.
On the other hand, Silver’s realistic chance for a cup this season lies in FDH Bank Cup.
At BNS, Silver are more less at home.
Even statistics seem to favour them. In the last six games in all competitions, the Central Bankers have won three matches and lost twice to Nomads. One match ended in a stalemate.
Silver CEO Patrick Chimimba said despite being a crucial match they were determined to lift the cup.
“The team is set for the game on Sunday. It’s a big match knowing that Wanderers are on a good run following their back to back wins against Bullets. We are ready for them fresh from the Caf second preliminary round game against Young Africans, we would want to show our fans that we deserve to win this cup.
“The final match on its own is enough motivation for our players and there no need to put them under any pressure but dangling anything for a win,” Chimimba said.
Meanwhile, FDH Bank Senior Marketing Manager Ronald Chimchere said they were expecting a thrilling final as both teams were in good form.
“Both teams are having a good run and it is without doubt that fans are going to witness a mouthwatering clash,” Chimchere said.
