Kamuzu Barracks invade Blantyre in Carlsberg Cup battle
The 2015 Carlsberg Cup storms into an exciting stage Friday afternoon as 2013 champions Kamuzu Barracks, invade Blantyre to face Southern Region Football League side Ndirande Icons at Kamuzu Stadium.
The national phase of the Carlsberg Cup kicked off a fortnight ago which saw giants Mighty Be Forward Wanderers progressing to the round of 16 after beating Max Bullets by 2-1.
But Kamuzu Stadium will be the centre of attraction this afternoon as Ndirande Icons, who were booted out at the same stage last year against the defending champions, Big Bullets, host the Lilongwe army outfit.
Ndirande Icons coach Fletcher Chirwa, said in an interview that his team was ready to deliver the best and was optimistic that they would make it into the quarterfinals.
Chirwa acknowledged that facing TNM Super League giants was a challenge, but he was quick to say that his boys would bring surprises and that they are set for the battle.
“This is a very tough assignment to me and my boys looking at where we are coming from. We faced another military side [Airborne Rangers] in the preliminary round and we won on post-match penalties,” he said.
“Kamuzu Barracks is a side that has a lot of stars in as far as domestic football is concerned but we will do everything possible not to repeat what happened last year when we lost to Bullets.”
Meanwhile, Kamuzu Barracks playmaker, Harvey Nkacha, said they were aware that minnows try to embarrass big teams.
He said they were not afraid despite Icons having booted their fellow soldiers Airborne.
“We will go there flat-out to avoid any humiliation. We want to restore the lost glory by grabbing this cup this year,” Nkacha said.
Football Association of Malawi has also lined up two games tomorrow before the round of 16 wraps up next weekend.
Fam competitions manager, Gomezgani Zakazaka, says the association engaged the referees association to handle this stage professionally.
“We had no problems in the preliminary stage and we are hopeful that teams will respect the referees’ decision,” Zakazaka said
“On Friday we will witness the fist team reaching the quarterfinals and two other teams on Saturday while the set will be completed next weekend after the match of Bullets and Silver Reserve,” he added.
The fixture in the round of 16 of Carlsberg Cup is as follows.
Friday 17 July
Ndirande Icons v Kamuzu Barracks-Kamuzu Stadium
Saturday 18 July
Blue Eagles v Mafco – Nankhaka
Silver Strikers v OP Fc –Silver Stadium
Saturday 25July
Support Battalion v Civo- Silver Stadium
Chirumba v Mighty Be Forward wanderers-Mzuzu
Red Lions v Moyale-Zomba
Azam tigers V Dedza – Kamuzu stadium
Sunday 26 July
Big bullets v Silver Strikers- Kamuzu Stadium.
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