Nomads, Silver in 3rd final bid
As Standard Bank Knockout Cup defending champions Mighty Wanderers engage Silver Strikers in a final qualifying showdown this afternoon at Kamuzu Stadium in Blantyre, interesting statistics have been put into fray.
The two teams are relishing a third successive final appearance in the competition having met in the previous two editions in which the blue side of town came out triumphant.
The reality though is that this time around only one team will achieve that dream and move forward while the other will labour fruitlessly.
Going by statistics, the odds are tipped in the Nomads’ favour to move forward in this competition, but such is the beauty of football that it does not always go according to script and the Bankers could turn it all around this afternoon.
Afterall, the Bankers have had an edge over the Nomads in competitive games of late. Silver won last season’s Super League championship decider 2-1 and then went on to beat the Lali Lubani Road outfit in the opening league game of the current season 2-0.
Both league games, which Silver won, were played at Kamuzu Stadium whereas both Standard Bank final matches which the Nomads came out victorious were played in Lilongwe.
It is for this reason that Silver’s captain Lucky Malata believes his side will excel this afternoon.”We have had an edge over Wanderers of late, especially when playing at Kamuzu Stadium and that gives us a lot of confidence.
“And having lost twice in the previous finals, there can be no better time for revenge than now, but it won’t be an easy match,” said Malata.
The Silver skipper also said the entertainment is always compelling when the two teams are enjoying good form.
“We play similar type of pass and move football and this one should not be an exception,” he said.
Wanderers coach Gerald Phiri said being the defending champions, they want to reach the finals.
“It is a very important game for us because we are the cup holders and it would be painful to bow out at this stage. We have created a sense of ownership that it is our cup and we cannot give it up easily.
“Nevertheless, it will be very tough for us because Silver will give it their all bearing in mind that we have beaten them twice in the finals,” said Phiri.
He also said the other interesting aspect is that both teams have struggled in league games this season.
Silver’s wonderkid Chawanangwa Kawonga is tipped to play the game of his life as this is most likely to be his farewell game before his dream move to South Africa early next week where he is set to start a new lease of life at Premier Soccer League (PSL) side Maritzburg United.
Mercurial forward Peter Wadabwa is set to play his first game as he makes a return into the Bankers’ camp after a five-year stint in South Africa. His ITC (international transfer certificate) was expected to be sent yesterday by South Africa Football Association (Safa).
Apart from Malata, Kawonga and Wadabwa, the Bankers boast a star-studded side that also includes Frank Banda, Ndaziona Chatsalira, Tony Chitsulo, Young Chimodzi Jnr, Peter Pindani, Lazarus Nyemera, Rodrick Gonani and Blessings Tembo.
On the other hand, the Nomads have strengthened their squad by signing ex-Civo’s midfielder Patrick Gunde and Dave Chadewa formerly of Chikwawa United. Gunde is expected to make his debut this afternoon.
The Nomads are also expected to showcase their former midfielder Chikondi Farook Likwemba who has returned from Namibia.
Likwemba had a stint with the Bankers before his desert domain sojourn.
However, the Nomads will be without two key forwards Innocent Dzimbiri and Cuthbert Sinetre who have knee injuries while defender Stuart Gerald, who lost a brother during the week, is a doubtful starter.
Other potential match winners for the Nomads are goalkeeper and captain Richard Chipuwa, defenders Bongani Kaipa and Francis Mulimbika, midfielders Kondwani Kumwenda, Jacob Ngwira and Kondwani Lufeyo, strikers Luka Milanzi, Victor Mpinganjira and Sparrow Msowoya.
