By Mphatso John Sam
Blantyre, Mana: Karonga United Team Manager Wilberforce Longwe said he is upbeat of upsetting the tables in the Airtel Top 8 second legged match despite trailing by 2-0 to Civil Service United.
Karonga United will be hosting Civil at the Karonga Stadium this afternoon in the Airtel Top 8 second leg match after the first leg match played at Nankhaka Stadium last weekend ended 2-0 in favor of Civil Service.
Longwe said the team started its preparation last week so as to have enough time to rectify the mistakes made in the first leg match adding that he is hopeful of making it through the next stage of the tournament.
He said: “anything can happen in football. We have seen teams trailing by 4 goals but in the second leg scoring more than 4 goals. It’s possible to turn around the tables, if our counterparts managed to score 2 goals, we can also do the same. It will all depend on how we prepare.
“We are taking this game seriously that’s why we stared our preparations early. Our boys and the coaches are geared for the game. So far we don’t have any injuries; we have all the players training in readiness for the game.”
However, Civil Service United Head Coach Franco Ndawa said though they are leading with two goals, they will not underestimate Karonga United but we will approach the game with caution so as to finish the mission they started.
“The game is not yet over; we are waiting for the return leg. Though we scored 2 goals but we will approach the game with full throttle so as to win the game in the first 45 minutes. The morale in the camp is up and every player is available for selection,” said Ndawa.
The winner between the two will face either defending champions Silver Strikers or TN Stars.
The competition, which did not take place last year due Covid-19 pandemic, has seen its sponsorship hiked from K198 million to K234 million where the champions will now pocket K17 million from K15 million.
