Tanzanian giants Young Africans (Yanga) SC are expected to arrive in Malawi on Thursday, ahead of their much-anticipated CAF Champions League second preliminary round clash against TNM Super League champions Silver Strikers on Saturday afternoon at Bingu National Stadium.
This will be the first-ever meeting between the two sides in continental football, with the overall winner on aggregate advancing to the group stages of Africa’s premier club competition.
But even before kickoff, the mind games have already begun.
MORE NEWS FROM WAMPIRA
In a chat with Wa Mpira, one of Yanga’s passionate supporters, Said Omar Masengo, confidently declared that Silver Strikers stand no chance against the Tanzanian champions.
“We will roast Silver home and away,” he said bluntly. “A win for Silver will be a draw at Bingu. In our data, there’s no player from Silver you can compare with Yanga — not in ability, not in finances.”
Masengo went further, suggesting that Malawian football remains at a lower level compared to Tanzania’s elite setup.
“Your football in Malawi is just around your home,” he taunted. “Look deeply at our squad — you’ll see professionals from across the continent. We don’t even want a draw because of the quality and professionalism in our team.”
Indeed, Yanga’s squad reads like a who’s who of African football talent. Their core includes Bakari Mwamnyeto, Dickson Job, Israel Mwenda, Aziz Andabwile, Ibrahim ‘Bacca’ Abdullah, and Offen Chikola — all regulars for the Taifa Stars, Tanzania’s national team.
The list of internationals extends even further, boasting names such as Pacome Zouzoua (Ivory Coast), Djigui Diarra and Lassine Kouma (Mali), Celestine Ecua (Chad), Moussa Balla Conte (Guinea), Prince Dube (Zimbabwe), and Duke Abuya (Kenya) — a lineup that underscores Yanga’s continental pedigree.
Kadenge: “We Will Not Fear Names”
On the other side, Silver Strikers’ head coach Etson Kadenge Mwafulirwa is keeping his cool and refusing to be drawn into the verbal sparring.
The Bankers reached this stage after edging Elgeco Plus of Madagascar on the away-goal rule following a 1-1 draw in Lilongwe and a goalless stalemate away in Antananarivo.
Yanga, meanwhile, thrashed Angola’s Benguela Williet 5–0 on aggregate, winning 3–0 away and 2–0 at home.
Despite the contrast in results, Kadenge says his team is ready for the challenge.
“We are not intimidated by Yanga’s record,” he said. “We know they’ve reached the group stages in the past two seasons, but we will not allow names to strike fear in our hearts. We’ll analyze their strengths and weaknesses carefully and prepare accordingly.”
He added that the clash presents an opportunity for Silver to prove their growth as a competitive side on the continent.
“Many people are underrating us,” he admitted. “But we are not in this competition as mere participants. The pressure is on Yanga — not us. They are the favourites.”
Football analyst Parry Chinyama believes that while Yanga possess a stronger squad on paper, Silver Strikers can still turn the tables with the right approach.
“Yanga is just a name,” he argued. “They’re not among the continental powerhouses like Al Ahly or Raja Casablanca. If Silver can make their home advantage count, they can stun them.”
Chinyama warned, however, that the Bankers must be clinical in front of goal.
“They have to learn from Mighty Wanderers’ mistake against Jwaneng Galaxy — failing to score enough goals at home cost them dearly. In CAF football, home legs are decisive.”
As the countdown to Saturday continues, anticipation is building in Lilongwe. Silver Strikers will be banking on their fortress-like form at Bingu National Stadium, while Yanga arrive with the swagger of a team that has been to Africa’s biggest stages.
Discover more from Wa Mpira
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
