For the first time in nine years, a new Charity Shield king will be crowned as TNM Super League champions Silver Strikers and Ibongetse Castel Challenge Cup winners Mighty Wanderers face-off at Bingu National Stadium this afternoon.
Surely, history beckons for Strikers and Wanderers. The two sides have been playing second fiddle to FCB Nyasa Big Bullets, who created an aura of invincibility since 2016.
Save for this afternoon, Bullets have been ever present in the Charity Shield and they have lifted it since then.
But Silver and Wanderers have a chance to write their own piece of history as they are facing each other for the first time at this stage in nine years.
Both teams would be looking for something this afternoon after they lost the two previous editions.
Wanderers lost 2-1 Bullets during the 2023 edition whereas Silver lost 7-6 to the People’s Team last year.
Surely, there is a lot to play for in this afternoon match. The stakes are very high.
Wanderers have a score to settle against Silver having lost three matches in all competitions.
The Nomads lost 2-0 in the first round before a 1-0 loss in the second round of the TNM Super League. They also lost 1-0 to Silver in the semi-final of the 2024 Airtel Top 8 at BNS.
But this could be water under the bridge as both sides have bolstered their respective squads.
Silver have assembled a strong squad having signed Emmanuel Allan, Precious Sambani, Festus Duwe, Samuel Adeyemi and Felix Demakude.
Wanderers, on the other hand, have bolstered their squad with Promise Kamwendo, Blessings Mwalilino, Masiya Manda, Nanison Mbewe and Chancy Mtete.
Silver Coach Peter Mgangira, who will lead the team in his first official match, said they expect a tough battle against Wanderers.
“We are prepared for it. This is an important game for us as it will help to boost the confidence of the players,” he said.
Mgangira has all the stars available for the clash. Defender Nickson Mwase, who had a knock against Tunisia, is in contention to start the match alongside Maxwell Paipi and Macdonald Lameck.
Wanderers Coach Bob Mpinganjira said his charges were ready to kick start the season.
“This is an important game and the spirits are high in camp. The boys know what is at stake. We need to show that we are ready for the season,” Mpinganjira said.
Wanderers have quality in abundance. Cameroonian striker Sama Tanjong, Gaddie Chirwa, Isaac Kaliati, Lawrence Chaziya and Wisdom Mpinganjira are available.
NBS Bank plc has increased this year’s sponsorship to K60 million from K40 million.
This year’s Charity Shield will be under the theme ‘We Care a Little more.’
The bank has been sponsoring the Charity Shield for four consecutive years.
The bank created the hype for this afternoon’s match as it stormed the streets of Lilongwe showcasing the shield.
The parade started from Area 18 Memorial Tower Area 18 to BNS.
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