Capital City derby on today, final in LL too
United last week in the quarter-finals
This afternoon’s capital city derby between Silver Strikers and Civo United in the semi-finals of the K25 million (US$67 567) Standard Bank Knockout Trophy has evoked memories of the good old days.
The clash of the Lilongwe giants has generated so much hype although both teams, in particular the Civil Servants, have lost the spark that turned them into the glamour boys of the capital.
The capital has been ablaze in the countdown to the clash, which is expected to steer the passions.
However, Civo coach Oscar Kaunda believes his side’s resurgence is on course and the 1-0 win over Big Bullets in the quarter-finals was not a fluke.
“The win over Bullets helped to build confidence and the boys appear to be in good spirits,” said Kaunda.
He also played down the goalless draw against Mponela United in a Super League match, saying it cannot be used as a yardstick for this afternoon’s clash.
Captain Emmanuel Zoya and Pilira Makupe will lead Civo from the backline with Charles Beni, Dave Ng’ambi, Lawrence Mwehiwa and Joseph Kachule pulling the strings in midfield.
On the other hand, the Bankers have enjoyed a remarkable run against their rivals in recent times, but their coach Stain Chirwa said this will be a different game altogether.
“This is a cup match and we need to exercise caution as there is a lot at stake. Of course, Civo have not been consistent, but we cannot claim to be any better. It will be a tough match, definitely,” said Chirwa.
Lazarus Nyemera, Chawanangwa Kaonga, Mdalitso Chiumia, Green Harawa, Rodrick Gonani, Young Chimodzi Jnr, Ndaziona Chatsalira and captain Lucky Malata carry the Bankers’ hopes.
Meanwhile, Standard Bank has announced that finals of the competition will take place in Lilongwe on November 2 2013.
This has quashed prospects of the violence-ridden Blantyre hosting any domestic cup final this season.
Kamuzu Barracks lifted the Carlsberg Cup after seeing off Moyale Barracks 1-0 in Mzuzu last month. In July, Mafco stunned pre-tournament favourites Silver Strikers 7-6 on post-match penalties at Civo Stadium to bag the Presidential Cup.
In a press statement, the bank’s head of marketing Chimwemwe Matonga on Friday said: “Following a high-level internal organising committee meeting, the bank has decided in consideration of many parameters, to have the cup final held in Lilongwe.”
“It was a consensus that in order to allow the finalists ample time to plan for the finals, which will be only a week from the semi-final games, the venue of the finals should be known in advance. Football Association of Malawi will, therefore, announce the venue in Lilongwe for the finals,” added the statement.
In a thinly veiled reference to hooliganism and violence that has marred cup and league matches at Kamuzu Stadium, leading to its closure and the subsequent reopening on Friday, the bank said: “Let those that win celebrate responsibly and those that lose accept the result honourably.”
