KB on revenge mission
Kamuzu Barracks (KB) return to Kamuzu Stadium this afternoon to face Be Forward Wanderers in Carlsberg Cup round of 16 last match with memories still fresh of how they went down 2-1 to the Nomads in TNM Super League two weeks ago.
The Malawi Defence Force (MDF) headquarters outfit can revenge for the loss they suffered to the Nomads only if they continue from where they stopped in that match.
The soldiers made a mistake of giving in-form Peter Wadabwa too much space in the first half and he punished them with a brace—the first goal coming in the 17th minute before he added another one in the 30th minute.
The soldiers’ second half performance in that match was flawless but it came too late and goalkeeper Lemman Nthala’s added time excellent penalty after Boston Kabango handled in the box, only reduced the deficit to 2-1.
Today if KB can tame Wadabwa and whoever will partner him—between Jimmy Zakazaka and Amos Bello—they stand a chance of booking a place in the quarter-finals.
KB coach Billy Phambala is relishing the idea of repeating the 2013 feat when he won the cup after beating fellow MDF side Moyale Barracks.
“We are not turning back, we have a good squad and the boys are playing well and I can assure you that we will grab the cup this year,” said Phambala.
Kamuzu Barracks beat Nsundwe 7-0 in round of 32 while the Nomads struggled to beat their reserve side 1-0.
The Nomads have struggled since their coach Eddington Ng’onamo left for Denmark for a month-long attachment. Last week they were saved from an embarrassing loss to Epac FC in Lilongwe through an added time equaliser.
In the absence of Ng’onamo, coach Elia Kananji will have to prove he can do better than the draw against Epac.
“It’s going to be a tough game. Having beaten them two weeks ago in the league, we know they will come hard on us in this cup game,” said the coach.
The Nomads will be without injured players Malumbo Gondwe, Jabulani Linje, Ernest Tambe, Peter Mselema, Rafik Mussa, Nenani Juwaya and Isaac Kaliati.
But team manager Steve Madeira insists there is no need to panic.
