By Edwin Mbewe
LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-The Central Region Football Association (CRFA) and Nyasa Capital Finance Bank have on Sunday, October 15, 2023, drawing a battle line between military outfits Airborne Rangers FC and Support Battalion FC at Fikiza ground in the official launch of the cup in Salima.
The Malawi Defence Force sides who are currently enjoying good form in the league battle it out for the round of 16 slot in the cup and a loss to either side today will mean an elimination in the early stages.
Both Airborne Rangers FC and Support Battalion FC say they have well-prepared their Battalions, Units, and troops ready for the battle this afternoon.
General Secretary for the Flying Lions Madalo Mkwate says they are ready to battle for the supremacy and avoid an early exit in the cup as was the case in the previous edition where they lost to a Division One outfit Nsaru United FC through post-match penalties after regulation time ended 2-2.
Airborne Rangers FC last won silverware on 14th October 2018 after defeating Kasungu Police FC through post-match penalties at Nankhaka Stadium at the FISD Challenge Cup regional level.
Since then the Soldiers have struggled in cup games, only this year Airborne Rangers FC were knocked out of the FDH Bank Cup and Castel Cup in the early stages.
“We are geared for the battle and as Airborne we are upbeat to win against Support. It will not be an easy game as it is a cup but we have fixed our bayonets well, and magazines refilled. We want to set a new cup record starting with this game”, says Mkwate.
Head coach for Support Battalion Temwa Msuku acknowledged Airborne Rangers FC have been defeating the Support Combat in league games recent one being a 3-2 defeat and vowed to amend their weaknesses ahead of the tussle this afternoon.
“We are ready to fight for the Nyasa Capital Finance money starting with this afternoon’s game against our rivals Airborne Rangers.
“It will be a difficult game as they defeated us in many games but today they have to pay for that. My troops know better how important the game is and they are equally ready to win”, Msuku said.
CRFA Vice General Secretary Antonio Manda says all is set for the MK23 million Nyasa Capital Finance Cup 3rd edition kick-off hence appealing the football lovers to come in large numbers to patronize the launch.
Namitete Zitha FC are the CRFA Nyasa Capital Finance defending champions who won the second edition in the region.
The first edition was won by Silver Strikers Reserve FC in 2021 after they smashed Kamuzu Barracks Reserve 6-2.
32 teams which 28 are from the Central Region premier division league and 8 from Division One will battle for Nyasa Capital Finance Loans on a knock-out basis.
