FROM THE TERRACES: 

By Vitumbiko Phiri (Senior News Analyst)

Daggers are now drawn and it’s just a matter of weeks before the 2018 TNM super league season kicks off. What a better way than to prepare an appetiser for the soccer-loving Malawians than a charity shield bonanza for the country’s biggest four in The champs, Mighty BeForward Wanderers, Nyasa Big Bullets, Silver Strikers, and Kamuzu Barracks Fc.

Minus the magnificent Bingu National Stadium hosting the soccer gala, there are also so many factors that will make this charity shield more scintillating from our eyes, in the terraces.

Firstly, the champions will have a point to prove that their being crowned the kings of 2017 season was not just a fluke; they deserved it.

Secondly, Silver Strikers will also attract more attention from us, from the terraces as will want to witness the partnership of the ‘run-away’ soldier, Khuda Muyaba’s and Big Bullets’ loanee, Collen Nkhulambe upfront… that is, assuming Khuda is going to play at all.

Former champions, and capital city fading giants, Kamuzu Barracks Fc as well would not want to be seen as a push over; they would also have a point to settle and make their statement felt that soldiers indeed do not die; they just hide, and resurrect, better, and stronger.

For starters, the teams were selected courtesy of their last season’s exploits which saw them each grabbing a silverware. The Nomads as TNM Super league champions, Bullets FC grabbed the Carlsberg Cup, Silver Strikers Fc, and Kamuzu Barracks Fc had Airtel Top eight, and FISD Cup respectively.  

So the line-up will see Bullets sorting it out with the Soldiers, to be immediately followed by te Nomads-Silver match.  The winners will meet in the finals the following Sunday whilst the losers will battle for a third spot on the same day (Sunday).

Good thing is that exploits generated during this weekend will go to Ekwendeni School for the blind to support learners there.  

As the days apporach, here are some of the questions the Senior One, and his FTT entourage are baffled with- will Khuda make his Silver Strikers’ debut?

• Will Righteous Banda claim his right to be on the Bullets’ starting eleven?
• What about Patrick Phiri?
• Are the Nomads going to stand the talk at TNM defending champions?

Only this forthcoming weekend will answer all these!

Tic toc! Tic toc!! The hour hath cometh!