Sable face Bullets, Mtetemera targets revenge in FdH cup

Sable Farming Football Club head Coach Macdonald Nginde Mtetemera targets revenge on Nyasa Big Bullets as the two teams meet this afternoon at Mulanje Park in the Round of 32 of the FDH Bank Cup.

Nyasa Big Bullets registered a hard-fought victory over the Chiradzulu-based side a fortnight ago in their last game of the tnm Super League first round at Kamuzu Stadium.

Babatunde Adepoju scored from 12 yards after Kitseni White fouled Ernest Petro in the penalty area.

Sable Farming are eager to heal from that wound but it won’t come easy as Kalisto Pasuwa’s men are eager for the Championship.

Silver Strikers who won the inaugural 2021 FDH Bank Cup, beat Bullets in the semifinals in Lilongwe in a game that was marred by violence.

In League, Sable Farming have wrapped up their first round with a defeat to Mafco FC and they are slammed in the relegation zone with 11 points while their opponents, Nyasa Big Bullets top the table with 41 points, but this is a Cup game.

Nginde Mtetemera while anticipating a tough match, said his charges are ready to eliminate last year’s semifinalists.

“Our preparations have been going well. We are almost where we want to be,” said Mtetemera.

“The boys are geared for the match. It will be a tough game but at the end of the day, we will be victorious.

“Am just sharpening my boys, there are no special preparations for them,” added Mtetemera.

Nginde added that all his arsenals are available for selection as they are facing the free-scoring Nyasa Big Bullets.

Nyasa Big Bullets deputy assistant Coach, Heston Munthali while knowing that Sable will come harder on them, said his charges are ready for the clash.

He said, “We are aware that they (Sable) will come hard and flat out on us as they are targeting revenge. We have been preparing our boys on how to approach the game and we are ready for the game.”

Heston Munthali who won the tnm Super League during his playing time, further added that all the players are fit and available for Selection as they are facing the Chiradzulu-based farmers.

In other games, Mighty Tigers who finished their last 7 games in the first round of the Super League without sniffing a win will play the pacey Nyasa Big Bullets Reserve at Mpira stadium.

Coach for Bullets Reserve, Enos Chatama says his boys are respecting their opponents as they play in the elite League.

Chatama and his boys won the Powerstart Cup last weekend after thumping Zingwangwa United 3-1 at Mulanje Park.

“It is a big game,” said Chatama. “They are a Super League team, we are going into the game as underdogs but cup games are always tough,” added Chatama.

Bullets Reserve who play in the Southern Region Football League, will not face the Super League team for the first time as they previously played against their brothers, Nyasa Big Bullets last season, Moyale Barracks and Blue Eagles.

Chatama said he is used to playing against clubs of such status.

“We have faced several Super League teams in Cup games, against Bullets, Moyale and Blue Eagles, so I think it will be a tough game but we are all geared for the clash on Sunday,” added Chatama.

In Mzuzu, Moyale Barracks who finished their first round with a thumping 5-1 victory over Rumphi United, will start their 2022 FDH Bank Cup with a game against Ngwanje FC and the winner will face the winner between Nyasa Big Bullets and Sable Farming in the round of 16.

Karonga United will take on Iponga FC at Karonga while Red Lions will be in a military affair with Zomba Airbase and Civil will take on Baka City.

The round of 32 started on Saturday as Silver Strikers who are holding the Cup have been sent out by Dedza Dynamos on penalties after the game ended in a goalless draw in regulation time.

Mighty Wanderers beat KB Youth on penalties while Ekwendeni Hammers booted out the Salima-based soldiers, Airborne Rangers.

Two Super League teams Mafco FC and TN Stars were beaten by the regional teams, Changalume Barracks and Chitipa United respectively.

Here are the teams that have booked their slots in the round of 16, Dedza Dynamos, Ekwendeni Hammers, Mighty Wanderers, Changalume Barracks, Chitipa United, Kawinga FC, Extreme FC, Kamuzu Barracks, Kadona FC.