Battle lines have been drawn as Mighty Wanderers and Karonga United lock horns in the Airtel Top 8 quarterfinals first leg at Kamuzu Stadium this afternoon.
The two sides are meeting for the first time in the Airtel Top 8 since its inception in 2017.
Both sides would hope for a positive start in the competition.
The two teams go into the tie with a spring in their steps following an impressive start to the season both having won two matches in the league.
Both teams will be hoping to replicate their league form to the Airtel Top 8.
In the league, Wanderers defeated Blue Eagles 3-1 and Mighty Tigers 3-2 at the same venue.
On the other hand, Karonga registered 1-0 victories over Civil Service United at Nankhaka Stadium and Mafco at Karonga Stadium.
Interestingly, the two teams shared fortunes in the TNM Super League last season.
Wanderers defeated Karonga United 1-0 at Kamuzu Stadium in the first round but Karonga exacted revenge with the same score line at Karonga Stadium in the second round.
Wanderers and Karonga have contrasting histories in the Airtel Top 8.
For the Nomads, they have appeared in two finals in the last seven editions.
But they lost 10-9 to Silver Strikers in the inaugural edition at Bingu National Stadium (BNS) in Lilongwe but they clinched their first ever Airtel Top 8 title when they defeated FCB Nyasa Bullets 5-3 at the same venue in 2022.
Karonga, on the other hand, have appeared in the Airtel Top final once but lost 1-0 to Silver at BNS.
Wanderers Coach Bob Mpinganjira said he was cautious as they face stubborn and unpredictable Karonga.
“All the players are looking in shape ahead of the game. We know that Karonga is a good team. We hope to win the match,” Mpinganjira said.
Interestingly, Wanderers new signings Blessings Mwalilino and Nanison Mbewe will face their former team.
Wanderers have several weapons including Promise Kamwendo, Isaac Kaliati, Wisdom Mpinganjira and Francisco Madinga.
On his part, Karonga Assistant Coach Chris Chimkwita said his charges would not be intimidated facing Wanderers at Kamuzu Stadium.
“We are not in Blantyre as tourists. We respect them but they also have to respect us. If they do not respect us, they will be in for a surprise,” Chimkwita said.
The visitors have assembled a good squad as well. Allen Chihana and Alfred Chizinga are potential match winners.
The two teams are expected to face each other in the return leg at Karonga Stadium next week.
Mzuzu City Hammers will host Civil Service United in the first leg in Mzuzu tomorrow whereas Silver will face Moyale Barracks at Silver Stadium on Monday.
The competition kicked off last Saturday as Bullets started their title defense with a goal-less stalemate against Creck Sporting Club at Kamuzu Stadium.
This year’s champions will pocket K35 million, up from K30 million.
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