Under the blazing floodlights and in broad daylight, the magnificent Bingu National Stadium is set to host a weekend of high-stakes football as the Airtel Top 8 finalists are decided.
This Saturday, Karonga United will clash with FCB Nyasa Big Bullets in a showdown of experience versus raw hunger. Then, on Sunday, sparks are guaranteed to fly in the Lilongwe Derby as Silver Strikers lock horns with arch-rivals Civil Service United. Both pivotal matches will unfold at Malawi’s premier football venue.
Bullets vs. Karonga: A Battle Under the Lights
The first semi-final kicks off at 6 PM on Saturday, a prime-time slot familiar to the Bullets, who are no strangers to playing under the lights. For Karonga United, however, it’s a debut dance with floodlight football, and the unfamiliar turf has already sparked pre-match nerves.
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The Crocodiles’ camp openly voiced concerns about their readiness for night football, formally requesting the Football Association of Malawi (FAM) for three training sessions at Bingu under the lights.
“We will need three days to train at Bingu National Stadium during night so that our players get used to playing under the lights. They are yet to play during night,” General Secretary Ramsey Simwaka shared with Timveni Online. Having trained Thursday night, Karonga United will get at least two night sessions before the crunch match.
Karonga United punched their ticket to the semis in style, orchestrating a remarkable comeback after a 1-0 away loss against Mighty Wanderers. While former frontman Blessings Mwalilino dealt them a blow on April 19, it was Alfred Chizinga who emerged as the hero in the return leg on April 27, netting a sensational brace to complete the turnaround.
On the other side, the Bullets navigated past CRECK Sporting Club, a side fresh off their maiden elite league season. The first leg on April 12 at Kamuzu Stadium saw CRECK push Bullets to their limits in what was also the official kickoff match of the Cup. Bullets eventually found their breakthrough in the return leg on April 25, courtesy of a decisive Maxwell Gasten Phodo header.
As the semi-final looms, Bullets’ Head Coach Peter Mponda remains confident but wary. “I am happy with how preparations are going on. We have all players available except Chrispin Mapemba who is injured,” explained Mponda.
Mponda gives update on Clyde Senaji Navade ahead of Karonga Match
“We know how good Karonga are, they are very good, they play compact football, very organized, they have pacy strikers, and we don’t have to relax or underrate them.” Notably, former team captain Clyde Senaji will miss out after being granted a two-week leave and not yet returning to the squad.
Meanwhile, Karonga United Head Coach Oscar Tindic Kaunda exudes belief as his team prepares for the clash against the reigning champions. “We are very ready and preparations are going well for this game; we hope to win and progress to the final,” Kaunda stated confidently. “It will not be easy because Bullets are a good side, but we have to beat them for us to be a good side too. We traveled safely.”
Addressing the floodlight concerns, Kaunda added, “We are training under the floodlights now and my players are able to exchange passes and communicating well to show that there is no problem with playing at night. If we lose, we will not blame the lights. We also have a full squad; maybe we may only miss one or two players due to injuries.” Kaunda affirmed that the Crocodiles are ready to “swim in the grass of Bingu National Stadium.”
Lilongwe Derby: Silver vs. Civil in a Fiery Showdown
In the second semi-final on Sunday, defending TNM Super League champions Silver Strikers made light work of Moyale Barracks in their quarter-final tie, claiming victories in both legs. Festus Duwe opened the scoring in Lilongwe on April 21, then starred again in the return leg at Rumphi Stadium on May 18 with a brace. Stain Davie added another while Moyale’s Black Aliseni found a consolation, seeing the Bankers advance 4-1 on aggregate.
Civil Service United, who finished fifth in the league, squared off against fourth-placed Mzuzu City Hammers. The first leg ended goalless at Mzuzu on April 20. But in the return fixture on May 17, the Servants came alive, as Dustan Banda, Muhammad Biason, Blessings Malinda, and Damiano Kunje all found the net in a commanding 4-0 win, booking their place in the semis and setting the capital city up for a fiery derby.
Silver’s Head Coach Peter Mgangira made their ambitions clear after brushing past Moyale. “We came here to win; I’m happy we have done just that, and we have progressed to the semifinals. We are not yet satisfied as we aim to get to the finals and fight for the top prize,” said Mgangira.
On the flip side, Civil Service United’s Abbas Makawa, fresh from a 4-0 demolition job, admitted the upcoming derby will be tough but asserted that his men are fired up for the challenge.
Anticipation builds for the grand Finale
The stage is set, and anticipation is mounting. Award-winning sports journalist Eric Chiputula, of Linga FM and Malawi24, predicts nothing short of fireworks. “Both fixtures will be worth every dime,” Chiputula explained.
“In the first game, Bullets seem to have an upper hand because they have a good record over Karonga, but they don’t easily win, and considering that it is a cup semifinal – just one step to the final – teams will come in prepared.”
He added, “Same with the Lilongwe derby in the second semifinal, Silver are the favorites, but you can’t underrate your opponents in a cup game. Everything can happen.”
The buzz on social media is heating up, with all four clubs, FAM, and Airtel sharing updates. Fan excitement is sky-high, and attendance looks promising.
Ticket prices have been set: MK6,000 for the open stand, MK20,000 for VIP, and MK25,000 for the corporate box. Advance tickets are available for MK5,000 and MK15,000 respectively, at various outlets and online via Kwenda.co.
Should Karonga United and Civil Service United progress, it will mark their first-ever meeting in the Cup’s final. Notably, Karonga and Silver Strikers previously met once in the 2019 final at Bingu National Stadium, with Khuda Myaba’s lone goal securing the trophy for Silver on June 29 that year.
If the giants, Bullets and the Bankers, both make it through, the final will be a highly anticipated rematch of last year’s showdown, where the Bullets claimed a narrow 1-0 victory through an Ernest Petro header. This would be their third encounter in the cup final since its inception, with Bullets winning both previous meetings. A potential rematch would offer Silver another chance to turn the tables and perhaps write a new chapter in their rivalry.
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