By Edwin Mbewe
LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-Southern region Premier division outfit Bangwe All Stars Reserve FC on Sunday, July 2, 2023, will battle it out for supremacy against resilient Santhe ADMARC FC in the MK5 million Aubrey Dimba Trophy as they make their first trip in the Central region.
To honor the fixture in Mchinji, SRFA has rested the team from the league match.
The Stars are currently leading group A with 19 points from 7 games while Santhe is currently struggling in the league, anchoring group B with 3 points from 8 games.
Bangwe All Stars have vowed to shine with a beautiful display at Dimba ground coming straight from a 7-0 smashing of Mwanza Stars FC at Mpira Stadium two weeks ago.
Santhe ADMARC FC despite a poor run in the league, produced a sparkling performance over TNM Superleague outfit Mighty Tigers FC in FDH Bank Cup round of 32 at Civo Stadium days ago as they knocked them out to cruise into the round of 16 through penalty shoot outs 3-1 after 1-1 stalemate after 90 minutes.
Yesterday during the first game of the second phase of the Chipiku Stores Premier division league preliminary round, Santhe ADMARC FC held LUANAR FC to a 1-1 draw at Malili ground in Lilongwe, courtesy of Gift Mashoni’s goal while Jegwe’s LUANAR equalized through Philip Mtika.
Alick Zulu coach for Santhe is optimistic about winning the match and cruising into the quarterfinals of the cup.
“We are ready to meet Stars. We defeated the Tigers but we can’t say they will be the same in terms of play. The Bangwe game will be our turning point hence we are ready to cause a blackout in Bangwe. The stars will not shine”, Said Zulu.
His opposition number Joseph Semu says he anticipates a good match against Santhe.
“They are a big team having defeated Tigers FC in FDH Bank Cup. We are not underrating them but we are equally ready and we are sure to shine in Mchinji on Sunday as we are traveling with the full squad”, Semu said.
Mighty Mukuru Wanderers FC and Mikalile FC from Zambia Chipata already qualified for the quarterfinals of the cup having defeated Blue Eagles RSV FC and Mkanda Youth FC respectively.
FCB Nyasa Big Bullets Reserve FC are the defending champions of the cup, they won it in 2021 and 2022.
The champions will take home MK1.5 million while the runners-up will pocket MK800,000.
