Blantyre, Lilongwe giants lock horns
By Mabvuto Kambuwe:
Bingu National Stadium turns into a battlefield this afternoon as four top TNM Super League teams square up in National Youth Council of Malawi’s Bingu Ikhome Bonanza.
In the opening game, Silver Strikers face Be Forward Wanderers before another tough match involving Blue Eagles and Nyasa Big Bullets.
The winners face each other in the final tomorrow with the losers meeting in the third-place play-off.
Wanderers and Bullets are heading into the bonanza with a depleted squad having contributed the biggest number of players to the national football team which faces Botswana this afternoon. The Nomads have contributed Stanley Sanudi, Dennis Chembezi and Peter Cholopi whereas Bullets have Enerst Kakhobwe, Charles Petro, Precious Sambani, Gomegzani Chirwa, Chimwemwe Idana, Peter Banda, Hasan Kajoke and Chimango Kaira.
Eagles and Silver contributed Micium Mhone and Brighton Munthali, respectively.
Wanderers and Silver are meeting for the fourth time this season after two encounters in the Airtel Top 8. Silver won both legs whereas the two sides’ TNM Super League match ended goalless.
The bonanza offers the four teams a chance to get a trophy this season with the future of Fisd Challenge Cup unclear.
Nomads’ assistant Coac their league form to the two-day bonanza. “It is an opportunity for us to win something and please our fans.
We are geared and ready,” Kaunda said. Silver assistant Coach, Abasi Makawa, said he knows the importance of victory in the showpiece.
“We expect a very difficult game against Wanderers but we are prepared,” Makawa said.
The Nomads have deadly weaponry in Babatunde Adepoju, Francis Mkonda, Francisco Madinga and Isaac Kaliati whereas Silver will rely on Khuda Muyaba, Michael Tetteh , Young Chimodzi Junior and Duncan Nyoni.
Eagles’ assistant Coach, Wilson Chidati, said his troops were in the right frame of mind ahead of the bonanza.
“It is a tricky match for both teams but our players are in good shape. I am confident that we will win the bonanza if we play like we did against Silver. But we have to be cautious because it is a different ball game,” Chidati said.
Eagles have match winners such as Foster Biton, Gilbert Chirwa, Schumacher Kuwali and Gregory Nachipo whereas Bullets’ hopes are on the experience of Chiukepo Msowoya, Henry Kabichi, Nelson Kangunje and Yamikani Fodya.
Champions of the bonanza will pocket K5 million.
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