Tomorrow marks 1969 days since Stuart Mbunge scored to help Blue Eagles beat FCB Nyasa Big Bullets in 2018 Airtel Top 8 Cup.
Bitter memories are still fresh for the People’s team who went on receiving punishments following violent conduct by discontented fans who felt the last minute penalty converted by Mbunge was dubious.
Bullets were banned from participating the competition the following season and then they came back strongly in the last two editions reaching final twice and winning it once.
But this time, the two giants are returning at the Bingu National Stadium to crash in semi final of the same competition.
Bullets beat Civil Service United 3-2 on aggregate to secure a place in semi final where as Blue Eagles had to beat Moyale Barracks 3-2 to move reach this far.
The two sides have made so many changes in their squads as the People’s Team have only five players who were available in 2018 in Yamikani Fodya, Righteous Banda, Mike Mkwate, MacFarlane Mgwira and Hassan Kajoke.
Kalisto Pasuwa who has been in charge of the team said he is focusing on tomorrow’s game.
“Tomorrow is a cup game that is coming and it supposed to be finished by tomorrow so we will try our best” said Pasuwa
Bullets have been struggling recently, winning once in since games.
The Blantyre outfit lost in Airtel Top 8 second leg against Civil Service United before winning against lower league team Lipulumundu FC in Castle Challenge Cup.
They went on drawing thrice against Mighty WANDERERS, Red Lions and Blue Eagles before suffering a defeat against Dedza Dynamos all in TNM Super League.
But commenting on their performance a fortnight ago when the two teams played out a goalless draw at Nankhaka Stadium, Pasuwa believes it was influenced by poor pitch condition and injuries.
“It has been very bad to us as you know we have been dropping points but again I even talked about it when we were starting off because of the conjested fixtures and injuries we ended up loosing most of our players but we thank God that we have reached this far”
“Indeed we lost our last game against Dedza in the league and the boys were very low but we have been working on bringing back the confidence”
“Cup games have different approach where you use players who are very cautious and also all transitions you need to be oky. We need also ball management and try as much as we can to have concentration to go through in this competition and they have a number of experienced players so we need to be careful and in this pitch where you can play the type of football you want to play I hope we will display good football tomorrow” added Pasuwa
Blue Eagles who are coming from a defeat at Silver Strikers in ACB bonanza said they are ready to dent Bullets’ mission of progressing into the final.
“The preparations are so good knowing that this is a cup game so we are ready”
“It will be a grudge match because when we meet with Nyasa Big Bullets it’s always a total war so the players are aware of it” said Blue Eagles assistant coach Christopher Sibale
Like Bullets, Blue Eagles are expected to have new faces compared to those who were available against Bullets in 2017 as only seven players remained in the team.
Those who wore gold medals including, John Soko, Chakonda Majanga, Jacob Robert, Wonder Jeremani, Micium Mhone and Kingsley Kuwali.
But all is history as they have another task tomorrow.
Talking about their recent form, the Eagles have won twice and losing twice in their recent five games in all competitions.
They beat Extreme FC and Moyale Barracks, lost to Kamuzu Barracks and Silver Strikers and drawing against FCB Nyasa Big Bullets.
But for the last three seasons, these two teams have met six times all in TNM Super League. In 2021 season Bullets beat Eagles 1-0 before drawing the retain match and in 2022 they drew all games in the league then this season Bullets beat Eagles at Kamuzu Stadium and they return fixture ended goalless.
The Airtel Top 8 was introduced in 2017 with Silver Strikers winning it the first edition and third one while Eagles won the competition in 2018.
The People’s Team were Champions in 2021 while Wanderers are the defending champions after winning it last year.
