Forest Rangers midfielder Shadreck Malambo is this Saturday poised to make his third Absa Cup final appearance in 10 years with three different clubs.
Malambo has been involved in the two matches for the Ndola side in the competition. He played the entire match against Green Buffaloes in the quarterfinals.
In the semifinal, Malambo was a second-half substitute when Forest eliminated Super League champions Power Dynamos.
The experienced midfielder is among a few players to have won the ABSA Cup competition with two different clubs.
In 2013, he was part of the triumphant Red Arrows squad, and 5 years later, he was in the final with Nkana.
Malambo’s second ABSA Cup trophy came in 2018 with Nkana when they overcame Young Green Buffaloes 3-0.
Malambo tells Bolanews that he is confident of getting a winners medal with Forest Rangers in this year’s final against FC MUZA on Saturday at Woodlands Stadium in Lusaka.
“Am feeling this one could be my third Absa Cup win,” Malambo said. “I’m very confident that we are going to win it.”
“In 2013, I won it with Red Arrows and in 2018 with Nkana, I feel I can replicate the same achievement with Forest Rangers.”
He could become the first player to win the ABSA Cup three times with different clubs this weekend.
Could Malambo be Forest Rangers’ lucky Charm?
Interestingly, all the teams Malambo has won the cup with were winning it for the very first time.
Forest Rangers are making their maiden appearance in the final with the hope of winning it for the first time.
However, Malambo calls on his teammates to take the final against the 2023/24 CAF Confederation Cup envoys seriously.
“My advice to my teammates is that the ABSA Cup is the only cup competition we have in Zambia…. So we have to take it very seriously,” the midfielder stated.
Malambo revealed that getting to the finals of the ABSA Cup is not an easy feat. He stated that it goes down to hard work and experience.
“It is very difficult to reach the finals, ” he said. ” This is a very different and difficult game compared to a league match.”
“It needs players with experience to handle the pressure that comes with playing in such a demanding match, a once-off match with no second chance.”
After a failed Super League title challenge, the Forest Rangers bench will be relying on Malambo’s experience in their quest to win their first silverware.
