By Edwin Mbewe
LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-Silver Strikers Reserve FC Head Coach, Leo Ferguson Mpulula, has sent a warning message to teams participating in MK5 million Aubrey Dimba Trophy to treat his team with caution as they are there for business.
Mpulula made the sentiments ahead of their crucial game against St Gabriel Medicals Football Club on Sunday, August 28, 2022 at Dimba ground Kapiri-Mchinji in the second quarterfinals.
The veteran coach indicated that his charges have now jelled well and their coordination and combinations are superb which is giving him hopes of delivering in every game that will come on their way regardless any competition.
“This is a cup game. We will play our usual game. Dimba is a good ground hence Medicals should anticipate a tough match. We drew 1-1 at Nsaru in the league but our play was affected by bad condition of the pitch”,
“We were painfully defeated in the finals against Nyasa Big Bullets Reserve last year. As Silver we are determined to win the championship this time around so that we show people our development program is really working”, Mpulula said.
His counterpart, Martin Mthetho Mkamanga, St Gabriel Medicals Coach also expect a tough match but he was quick to say;
“We have done their homework on the weaknesses they spotted over their opponents when they met in Chipiku Stores Premier Division League game a week ago.
“I am not afraid of Leo Mpulula and his Silver Reserve.I just respect him being a veteran coach. On Sunday we are giving them a tough match and obviously knocking them out from the cup “, says Mkangama.
Kamuzu Barracks RSV are the only team that have so far qualified into the semifinals of the cup after defeating Malambo FC from Zambia 2-1 last Sunday.
The defending champions Nyasa Big Bullets Reserve FC will lock horns with Mchinji based side Villa FC in quarterfinal number 3 on Sunday, September 4, 2022 while Extreme FC meet ZESCO United week later in quarterfinal number 4.
In the last edition Nyasa Big Bullets Reserve outsmarted Silver Strikers Reserve FC 4-2 to win the MK2.5 Trophy.
Silver Reserve failed to win any match in regulation time but through post match penalties. In round of 16 they defeated Joseph FC 4-3 after regulation time ended 0-0,in quarterfinals they defeated Wimbe United FC 4-3 again after normal time failed to produce any goals and in semifinals they were 8-7 winners over Mzuzu based side Bright Stars.
Enos Chatama side Bullets Reserve defeated St Gabriel Medicals FC 2-1 in round of 16 before defeating Extreme FC 1 nil through a spot kick goal in quarterfinals.
Bullets went on to beat Kamuzu Barracks Reserve 2-1 in the semifinals. In total Bullets Reserve scored 9 goals and conceded 4 goals in the campaign.
The winner of the trophy will take home money amounting to MK1.5 million, Trophy and medals.
Second placed will pocket MK700,000 and medals with third and fourth places getting MK200,000 each.
