It is history that lies at stake this afternoon when Nyasa Big Bullets Reserves and Extreme FC play in the semifinal of the FDH Cup at Kamuzu Stadium in Blantyre.
The two sides will be looking to make history by becoming lower league sides to earn a slot of the competition since its inception.
The home side reaches this far having defied the odds by coming from behind to beat Blue Eagles 2-1 while Extreme, a side from Mchinji and plays in the Central Region Premier Division came out 2-0 winners over Changalume Barracks last week.
Bullets had to bank on a last-minute winner to claim the honors against the Eagles, just like Extreme placed a gallant performance at Balaka Stadium.
There is however slight history that favor Bullets which managed to beat Extreme FC 1 nil most recently in the Aubrey Dimba Trophy.
This means that the sides have been exceptional this outing.
Meanwhile, Bullets Reserves Coach Enos Chatama admits that although his charges are lethal at Kamuzu Stadium, they expect Extreme FC to come guns blazing.
“I must say that as the panel, we hold a high rated belief in the team looking at how far we have come. Playing in the semifinal is a motivation and we believe the players will fight for it as far as we are required to do,” Chatama said.
Chatama was also quick to say that their route to this level should not guarantee them any sense of complacency.
‘’ We have told the players that this is a different game. We choose to leave performances in previous games behind us,’’ he says.
Until now, Bullets have managed to claim wins over top flight league sides.
Bullets beat Tigers 3-2 on post-match penalties in the round of 32 before marking a 1-0 win over Red Lions in the round of 16.
On the other hand, Extreme Coach Shadreck Masina feels the match will have to require them to be at their best again insisting that his charges will not focus on cheers from fans.
“To be honest, as a team, we are not scared of any team in this competition. We will take the game to them. My boys are not under pressure and have nothing to lose as we go to Kamuzu Stadium,’’ he said.
In the round of 32, Extreme defeated Blantyre-based The Boys 4-1 on post-match penalties after 1-1 stalemate in regulation time.
The side also knocked out Simama League side Kadona Stars 1-0 in the round of 16 before a win over Changalume last time out.
As it is, the winner in this fixture will play against Nyasa Big Bullets or Mighty Mukuru Wanderers, old town foes who play at Bingu National Stadium in Lilongwe in seven days’ time.
The champions will get K25 million plus a trophy while the runners-up will pocket K8 million.