Standard Bank Cup feast begins

There is an assurance of tears of sorrow or joy at match venues today as the knockout phase of the Standard Bank Top Eight starts with hot fixtures across the country.

Big Bullets, who are basking in the glory of the Presidential Cup, take on an unpredictable Epac FC in Balaka in the first leg.

League statistics of the two teams put them at par, but Bullets’ advantage remains the hordes fans that travel with the team.

In Lilongwe, Silver Strikers, who have not won a cup in the past five years, face Standard Bank reigning champions Blue Eagles at Nankhaka in one of the hottest fixtures of the week.

In Nchalo, Escom face Wanderers in probably the pick of the week.

Also of greater interest will be the game between Moyale Barracks and Civo United at Chitowe as Moyale will be without four key players Anthony Manda, Victor Phiri, Lovemore Mitengo and Timothy Nyirenda who are facing match bans.

Despite the absence of the four, the club’s general secretary Major James Chilambe is optimistic about his side carrying the day.

“Definitely, it is painful not to have the four, but I can assure our supporters that we still have a strong team that can beat Civo. I hope Civo will not make the mistake of undermining us,” said Chilambe.

Civo have a timely boost in the return of midfield workhorse Joseph ‘Dudu’ Kachule, who, according to assistant coach Dave Chirwa, has fully recovered from an injury..

Standard Bank head of marketing Linda Kachingwe-Sisya has urged all the teams to play professional football and also to exercise fair play so that results reflect the games.

“This is another exciting week for football fans in the country. As Standard Bank, we urge fair play so that fans should enjoy the games. We wish all the teams and the fans the best,” she said.

Football Association of Malawi (FAM) referees subcommittee chairperson James Mwenda, who is also the tournament’s vice-chairperson, has assured teams of improved officiation.

The assurance comes in the wake of some clubs expressing fear of biased officiation in their away fixtures.