By Edwin Mbewe
LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-The two Malawi football giants Mighty Mukuru Wanderers FC and Silver Strikers FC may miss out on the grand prize of MK17 million as the two clash in the early stage of the Airtel Top 8 season 6.
The record holder of the cup Silver Strikers FC who won it in 2017 it’s inaugural year and in 2019 host the reigning champions Mighty Mukuru Wanderers FC who defeated their arc rivals FCB Nyasa Big Bullets FC in December last year through post-match penalties at the Bingu National Stadium in the capital Lilongwe.
The sports fraternity is anticipating a highly thrilling encounter between the two giants who have mixed fortunes both in the league and cup.
Silver Strikers FC are currently holding position 4 in the league with 36 points from 21 games while the Nomads under Mark Harrison sit on position 2 tied on 40 points with the defending champions Nyasa Big Bullets FC.
The Nomads will be heading in today’s first leg quarterfinals with the mission to please their fans and bosses as they were eliminated in the FDH Bank Cup by MAFCO FC at Kamuzu Stadium 1-0, a lone goal scored by Paul Ndholvu just last week but equally Silver Strikers FC were also booted out of the cup in early stages.
Winning today’s game will give Silver Strikers FC an advantage in the second leg in Blantyre as this was the same way the central bankers booted out FCB Nyasa Big Bullets FC in 2017.
Silver won 1-0 at home and frustrated the Palestinians to a 0-0 draw at Mulanje Park stadium in a return leg.
But without their Airtel Money Agent Pieter De Jongh who is in Kenya waiting for the process of his work permit, will Edson Kadenge Mwafulirwa be able to transact well with the team after his return from suspension?
Well, the answer will be known after regulation time.
Analysts expect a good match this afternoon, as per Charles Nyirenda both teams are operating below par but still strong enough to cause harm.
“It should be a good match, full of attacking flair and hopefully the better team will win. It’s the wish of neutrals that the officiating personnel will do their job professionally”, said Nyirenda.
Another Analyst Kimu Kamau concurred with Nyirenda that the two teams are performing below par though anticipating to watch a good match.
” Both teams have good players who are able to showcase fascinating matches. The return of Chimwemwe Idana to the central bankers also makes this match to be more exciting. The officiating team should do it with zeal and professionalism.
“As we are in the 6th season of the cup let me commend Airtel Malawi for investing in football we had had good season and witnessed classical games though goals have been scarce in other seasons the coming in of the company has greatly helped the development of the sport in the country “, Kamau explained.
The central bankers have won the cup twice in 2017 and 2019, Blue Eagles FC who have been paired with Moyale Barracks FC in this edition won it in 2018 after defeating FCB Nyasa Big Bullets FC 1-0 at Bingu National Stadium through a spot kick goal by Stuart Mbunge in the dying minutes of the game.
In 2020 the cup did not take place due to the impact of the global pandemic Covid-19 which resulted in the cancellation of the football season in Malawi.
FCB Nyasa Big Bullets FC won it in 2021 but failed to defend it as their crosstown rivals Mighty Mukuru Wanderers FC snatched it through post-match penalties at Bingu National Stadium in December last year.
