Rookies Extreme FC have vowed to hurt Castel Challenge Cup holders Mighty Wanderers again as they clash this afternoon in Round of 16 at Aubrey Dimba Stadium in Mchinji District. Wanderers are odds-on favourites being the defending champions fresh from ending an eight-year TNM Super League title drought. However, memories are fresh when Extreme FC, which now play in third-tier Chipiku Central Region Football League, caused a quake in the boots of the Nomads almost three years ago with shocking 1-0 beating in the TNM Super League at Bingu National Stadium in Lilongwe.
Then, pain was so unbearable among the Nomads supporters on June 10 2023 as, immediately after the game, they gathered outside the dressing room and forced the then team’s captain Stanley Sanudi to kneel down and apologise for the defeat. The situation had its consequences. Wanderers president Thomson Mpinganjira infuriated by the supporters’ behaviour and he threatened to pull out the club’s sponsorship.
Extreme coach Trust Nyirenda said yesterday that they will do their best to hurt the Nomads again this afternoon and prevent them from hoping for the Castel Cup defence. “We are on a mission to become the first lower league team to win the Castel Cup and beating the defending champions is key,” he said. “Wanderers are favourites on paper but if we remind them of what we did to them a few years ago, they will realise that we are no pushovers.
[paywall]
We are determined to relive history.” Nyirenda banks his hopes on players such as striker Gregory, midfielder Beston Jimu and defender Grievin Ng’anjo, who have so far helped the team to be second in the Chipiku League, where they have 52 points from 26 games, five behind leaders Blue Eagles Reserve. On his part, Wanderers coach Bob Mpinganjira said they cannot afford to fall to the third-tier league outfit as they aim to reclaim the Castel Cup. “We know lower league teams are unpredictable as they can put up a surprise performance.
However, we are geared for a perfect start to the cup defence,” he said. Wanderers are likely to use players such as attackers Isaac Kaliati, Mphaso Kamanga and Dan Kudonto and defender Emmanuel Nyirenda, who have just renewed their contracts with the Lali Lubani Road outfit. In other round of 32 matches this afternoon, Mafco will host Blue Eagles at Champion Stadium while Prison United will be at home against Civil Service United at Balaka Stadium. Chilumba Barracks will entertain Mighty Tigers at Chitipa Stadium whereas Home Sweepers will clash against Mzuzu City Hammers at Rumphi Stadium.
[/paywall]
