Clash of Titans as Arrows and Eagles face off in ABSA Cup semifinal tie
Red Arrows will be looking to keep their dream of a double this season alive when they face off with Green Eagles in the second semifinal of the 2022 ABSA Cup.
The Airmen saw off Nkwazi with a 3-0 scoreline to book a date with the Kawale Boys who edged ZESCO United on post-match penalties.
With NAPSA Stars already through to the final, it’s now left to either Arrows or Eagles to book a place in the final.
MIDFIELD BATTLE
A lot of mini battles are expected in this match especially in midfield with Alassane Diarra and Hosea Silwimba looking to control the middle of the park.
Silwimba has been instrumental for Aggrey Chiyangi’s men scoring eight goals and contributing several assists making him arguably the Kawale Boys’ most influential player.
On the other side, The Malian midfielder has been in impeccable form for Chisi Mbewe’s men and will again look to prove a point.
He scored in the three-nil bashing of Nkwazi in the quarter-finals and will hope to add to that tally.
Whichever one of these two will come to the party could easily win the game for his team.
WORDS FROM THE GAFFERS
Red Arrows boss Chisi Mbewe says his team has prepared adequately for this clash.
The Airmen will be without striker Twiza Chaibela who is nursing an injury and defender Allan Kapila who has a family commitment.
“The preparations have gone well, the team looks sharp, We had injuries and we are happy that most players who were injured are back,” he said.
“Allan Kapila who has a family issue, Twiza Chaibela and Jackson Mphande are recovering from injuries hence will miss the match.”
“We don’t want to work under pressure, We have prepared the team and all I can say is that we will come out on Sunday and apply according to how we have planned for this team,” he added.
Skipper Benedict Chepeshi reiterated the gaffers’ words on adequate preparations and being ready for the Kawale Boys.
“We are very much ready and prepared for the game. We know the intensity of the match, defensive derby is never easy,” Chepeshi told the ZamFoot Crew.
Meanwhile, Green Eagles boss Aggrey Chiyangi says his team is eager to face their military compatriots, Red Arrows.
Chiyangi told the ZamFoot Crew during the pre-match press conference that his side had done their homework on Red Arrows and their weak links.
“The preparations have gone well, the players are excited it’s been a long time since we played in the semifinals. We are eager to meet Red Arrows in the semifinals. We are ready for them,” he said.
“We have prepared very seriously and the team is motivated. We are not worried, in as much as we know that Red Arrows have a very good frontline we have studied how they create those goals.”
“There is no team that is good all-round, We have studied their weaknesses and we will capitalize on them,” he added.
The Kawale Boys will be without influential defender Warren Kunda who is out nursing an injury.
The match will be live on SuperSport 229 Variety 4 and GOtv from 15h00, and tickets are being sold at K20 Open Wing, K75 VIP, and K100 VVIP at CompuTicket in all Shoprite stores countrywide.
The winner of this match wi face NAPSA Stars in the final of this year’s competition set for 16th April at the National Heroes Stadium.
The winner of this year’s competition will pocket K650,000 while this year’s runner-up will pocket K300,000. The Player and Coach of the Tournament will each receive K25,000 while K15,000 has been reserved for the Man of the Match for every game.