All set for Zambezi Challenge tourney
Organisers of the Zambezi Soccer Challenge Cup TopSports Limited, have said all is set for the two-day knockout showpiece that starts this afternoon at Kamuzu Stadium in Blantyre.
Apart from Silver Strikers, Mighty Wanderers and Big Bullets had issues to sort out that could have affected their quest to win the K3 million ultimate prize.
Nomads, who are taking on their age-old rivals Big Bullets in a fresh battle for supremacy, are battling a severe cash squeeze that led to their players boycotting a strength-testing match against Southern Region Football League (SRFL) side Ndirande Icons on Thursday in protest against unpaid two-month salaries.
Coach Stuart Mbolembole had arranged the match to gauge his charges’ preparedness.
The Nomads players boycotted the match until club chairperson George Chamangwana made a timely intervention by pledging to settle their dues by close of business yesterday.
“The issue has now been sorted out, we have agreed to pay them their dues by this afternoon,” said Chamangwana.
But one of the senior players, Mike Kaziputa said despite the mishap, they were ready for the derby.
“Our focus is on the tournament, we are hoping to win against Bullets and then go on to win the tournament on Sunday,” he said.
On his part, Mbolembole said apart from the prize money, the Nomads will use the game to prepare for Tuesday’s Super League decider against Silver Strikers.
He also said the Nomads will not feature any new face.
While Bullets have intensified their rebuilding drive, they too have a cause for worry as their effort to feature a number of trialists had not yielded much joy as we went to press.
Among others, Bullets were planning to feature Tizgowere Kumwenda, Victor Limbani (Blantyre United); Pilirani Zonda and Mussa Manyenje (Epac), but they should still be able to feature others such as Watson Chawinga and Moses Scott.
The team’s former stars Jelesi Lufeyo, Grant Lungu and Robson Banda are also expected to be thrown into service.
Caps face Silver Strikers in another potentially explosive tie that will curtain-raise the Blantyre derby.
In a telephone interview, Caps director Twine Phiri said his side would still give its best shot.
“We are coming there with the spirit of competition. We want to give Malawian soccer fans a foreign flavour to make the tournament more exciting,” said Phiri.
Silver captain Lucky Malata said they are set for the match.
“For us, the tournament will also provide an opportunity to prepare for the league decider against Wanderers,” said Malata.
The men to watch in the Bankers camp include Chawanangwa Kaonga, Lazarus Nyemera, Green Harawa, their midfield shield Young Chimodzi Jnr, Frank Banda and Ndaziona Chatsalira.
The winners in today’s encounters will meet in the finals afternoon.
