Mighty Wanderers Football Club have issued a confident rallying cry ahead of a huge fortnight of football, declaring they possess the squad depth and quality to overpower Tanzanian side Simba when the two clubs meet in the CAF Champions League first leg at Bingu Stadium on Sunday, 6 September.
“We are the champions” — Kanyenda talks up Wanderers’ credentials
The club’s Director of Football Development, David Kanyenda, didn’t hold back when addressing journalists in Blantyre on Thursday, insisting Wanderers’ status as reigning Malawian champions gives them the edge heading into the continental tie.
Kanyenda began by paying tribute to club president Dr Thomson Mpinganjira for securing the side’s return to continental football for a second consecutive year, before turning his attention firmly to the task at hand.
“First of all, we should thank the club president Dr Thomson Mpinganjira for making it possible for us to play again in CAF for two consecutive years, otherwise, we are prepared, our squad is deep and we believe it is one of the best squads in Malawi,” Kanyenda said.
He then delivered a pointed dig at Simba’s domestic credentials, noting that the Tanzanian side arrive in Lilongwe having finished runners-up rather than champions back home.
“On the other hand Simba are not champions of Tanzania, they finished second, the champions of Tanzania are Yanga, so, we are the champions, we think we are the superior team in this tie,” he declared.
Advance team to be dispatched ahead of return leg in Tanzania
Looking beyond Sunday’s crucial first leg, Kanyenda revealed the club is already preparing meticulously for the away fixture, confirming that an advance team will be sent to Tanzania immediately after the home game to arrange accommodation, food and logistics for the players ahead of the return leg on 13 September.
The bold statement of intent sets the stage for a mouth-watering continental double-header, with Wanderers determined to make home advantage count against a Simba side that, despite missing out on the Tanzanian title, remain one of East Africa’s most formidable footballing institutions.
