By Pempho Nkhoma

Blantyre, November 6, Mana: It will be an all Ndirande affair when Nyambadwe United Football Club (FC) will lock horns with Ndirande Stars on Friday, November 8 at Kamuzu Stadium in a Southern Region Thumbs Up Premier Division League, Top 8 match.

Nyambadwe United reached this stage after finishing on position 2 in Group B while Ndirande Stars FC finished on position 3 in Group A.

In this Top 8 stage, all teams will play against each other in a home and away series and the team that will accumulate the most points at the end of this round, a winning team, will be crowned champions of the league.

General Secretary for Nyambadwe United FC, Kondwani Gelevazio, told Malawi News Agency (MANA) on Wednesday that they are expecting a tough encounter considering that both teams are coming from the same area.

“Playing with Ndirande Stars will be a tough game since this is Ndirande derby, and being the first game of the top 8 stage, no one would want to lose the game.

“Nyambadwe United will treat each game as normal and this is also a motivation to our players to stop Ndirande bragging,” he said.

Gelevazio said his charges are well prepared for the match and will be aiming for maximum points.

“The boys are ready because our team is full of young stars and the energy levels are high. We know that it is important to win each and every game to finish on position one and go to Super League,” he said.

Ndirande Stars General Secretary, Mike Lampu, is sure of his team’s preparedness for the match saying all players are fit and no one will miss this game through suspension.

“Preparations are normal as we do with any other game. There is nothing to worry about because we have the full house. All players will be available,

“We did not give our players any target since that can give them pressure, we just want them to play their game,” he said.

Lampu, therefore, called upon all football lovers from Ndirande to come in large numbers to appreciate the talent and support the boys.

“Both teams play exciting football. So, I believe that fans coming to this game will witness a very good and competitive match,” he said.

In other fixtures, on Thursday, Mighty Mukuru Wanderers Reserve will host Red Lions at Mpira Stadium, Mwanza Stars will play against Ekhaya FC at Balaka Stadium as Bullets Reserve plays against Ntaja United at Kamuzu Stadium.

On Sunday, Ekhaya FC will host Mighty Mukuru Wanderers Reserve at Mpira Stadium, Red Lions will host Ntaja United at Balaka Stadium.