Battle lines have been drawn as Blue Eagles and Karonga United lock horns in the semifinals of the 2024 FDH Bank Cup at Civo Stadium on Saturday.
The two teams are meeting at this stage for the first time in history of Malawi football.
This means history will be written this afternoon regardless of the winner of this tie. Both Eagles and Karonga have never reached the final of the FDH Bank Cup since its inception in 2021.
Eagles are the only second-tier side in the last four of the FDH Bank Cup having being relegated from the TNM Super League last season but the Area 30 based club have quality in abundance.
They have already eliminated two Super League sides Silver Strikers and Baka City on their way to the semifinals.
Eagles, are undefeated in all competitions this season, defeated Silver 5-3 on post-match penalties in the Round of 32 after goal-less in regulation time at Nankhaka Stadium before beating Santhe Admarc 4-2 on post-match penalties in the Round of 16 match at the same venue.
They then thrashed 3-0 at Karonga Stadium in the quarterfinals. Sounding calm, Eagles coach Elia Kananji believes he has assembled a team capable of upsetting any team in this competition.
“The approach will be to win the match. We have prepared well for them. And , if we execute our game- plan well , we will go through to the final and hopefully win the tournament,” said Kananji.
On the other hand, Karonga will be looking for their second final appearance in national competition after they lost 1-0 to Silver Strikers in the 2019 Airtel Top 8.
There is renewed hope in Karonga camp after they knocked last year’s runners-up Mafco following 2-1 victory at Chitowe Stadium in the quarterfinals. Karonga coach Oscar Kaunda said his charges have sets their sights on the final.
“We need to exercise caution against Eagles. We need to double our efforts as they are a very good team. The preparations have been smooth which is giving me hope that we will do well against Eagles,” said Kaunda.
The Crocodiles of Karonga defeated Premier Bet Dedza Dynamos 10-9 on post-match penalties after goal-less draw in regulation time.
The winner between Eagles and Karonga will face either holders FCB Nyasa Big Bullets or Moyale Barracks, who will face-off in another semifinal scheduled for this coming Wednesday evening at Bingu National Stadium.
The game between Bullets and Moyale will be played under flood lights. The final is expected to be played at a date and venue yet to be announced.
This year’s champions will pocket K30.million up from K25 million plus a trophy after FDH Bank PLC increased this year sponsorship to K150 million from K120 million.
Silver were inaugural winners of the competition when they beat Ekwendeni Hammers ( now Mzuzu City Hammers) 2-0 at Bingu National Stadium in 2021.
In 2022, it was a family affair in the final as Bullets beat their Reserve Side 3-1 at Kamuzu Stadium to lift the competition for the first time. Bullets defended the cup after beating Mafco 3-0 at BNS last season and went on to win unprecedented quadruple.
