Masters Security FC have warned Be Forward Wanderers that they should brace for a tough Carlsberg Cup final while vowing not to leave a stone unturned in their bid to win a maiden national trophy.
Masters booted out holders Nyasa Big Bullets 3-4 through post-match penalties at Civo Stadium in Lilongwe on Saturday while the Nomads beat lower league side Hangover FC 3-0 at Kamuzu Stadium in Blantyre on Sunday.
In a post-match interview after reaching the finals in a tense encounter, Masters coach Abas Makawa hinted that he would have preferred to face Hangover in the finals.
He said: “I am travelling to Blantyre to watch the match between Wanderers and Hangover. I want to analyse how Hangover plays.”
But yesterday he said that despite his earlier proclamations, he viewed Wanderers as the favourites to progress to the finals.
“There was a small chance for Hangover to progress but Wanderers were favourites. To be frank, we are not scared,” he said.
In Nomads, Masters, who are in a maiden final at top level, will face a team that has won several trophies. But the coach said they will not be intimidated by experience.
“Before they started winning trophies, Wanderers also played their first final like we will be doing. Experience doesn’t bother us. We managed to beat Bullets and we can beat anyone,” he said.
Meanwhile, Wanderers team manager Steve Madeira has described Masters Security as a tough side with all the qualities to win the final at Kamuzu Stadium on October 20.
“Last year, they reached the Fisd Cup semi-finals and here they are in the finals. They have the desire to achieve great things and we don’t have to underrate them,” he said.
