Phiri, Ndawa face former clubs in Carlsberg Cup

Nyasa Big Bullets’ target to win a treble faces a real test this afternoon when they take on Azam Tigers in Carlsberg Cup round of 16 at Kamuzu Stadium in Blantyre.

After winning the Presidential Cup, the TNM Super League defending champions have been boasting about winning all trophies.

However, Tigers will provide them a real test of their pedigree in this campaign.

They were drawn against Masters Security in round of 32 and mercilessly trounced the Chipiku Central Region Football League rookies 5-0.

This afternoon’s encounter is interesting as Bullets coach Franco Ndawa faces his former club Tigers which fired him due to poor performance.

Ironically, Tigers coach Gerald Phiri also had a stint with Bullets three years ago.

He succeeded Ndawa after he was fired by the Kanjedza-based outfit.

Bullets goalkeeper Ernest Kakhobwe was also poached from Tigers at the beginning of the season.

The last time the two sides met was when Bullets won the league championship after beating Tigers 2-0 courtesy of a Jaffalie Chande brace.

In that match, Kakhobwe was named man-of- the-match.

“It will be interesting because Kakhobwe is now in our camp,” Bullets team manager Rahim Ishmael said.

However, he said they were not underrating Tigers.

“Tigers are one of the best Super League teams in Blantyre. You cannot talk of Super League teams in Blantyre without mentioning Tigers,” he said.

Meanwhile, Tigers technical director Robin Alufandika has pleaded for fair officiation during the match.

“Most of the times we are betrayed by officiation,” he said.