Gastin Simukonda leads Moyale Barracks’ massacre of Nkhata Bay Police
Moyale Barracks prolific striker, Gastin Simukonda Wednesday netted six goals as Moyale Barracks walloped Nkhata Bay Police 7-0 in the Presidential Initiative on Sports (PIS).
In a match played at Mzuzu Stadium, the Lions of Kaning’ina’s predator-in-chief netted five in direct play and one from the spot kick. This has put him in the forefront for golden boot award chase with eight goals scored so far.
The game started on a relatively high note with both sides playing a cagey game not to let the other leap in front.
But Moyale’s Simukonda was in remarkable form and led serious forays in the cops’ half. He went twice on the opponent’s goal in the 11th and 16th minute. But these efforts went tantalizing.
The cops’ side responded in the 32nd minute with a strike by John Mbamba. However, the strike lacked enough venom to beat Moyale goal custodian Oliseh Nkhwazi.
Moyale further stepped up the gears, making relentless raids into the cops’ half. One raid resulted in a goal area melee in 41st minute with Simukonda pouncing on a loose ball to put the hosts ahead.
Three minutes later, Brian Chikwanda strengthened the soldiers lead following police defender Lucas Nkhoma’s failure to clear to safety a long ball meant for Simukonda which landed in the way of Chikwanda who tapped it into the net making it 2-0.
The cops tried to pull one back, but Chima Banda’s close effort went straight into the palms of Moyale goaltender.
In the second half, the Nkhata Bay based cops tried to pick pieces together but their probing runs into soldiers’ half were restricted to the middle pack. The soldiers seized the game by its lapels, pulverized cops’ rearguard and poured more misery on them.
In 58th minute, the soldiers were on target again. This time around Sanderous Munthali dashed on the left side flank and released a sumptuous cross that Simukonda swept into the net.
Simukonda was on score sheet for the third time in the 63rd minute when he nodded home a well curled corner kick by his younger brother Robert.
In the 66th minute Moyale won a penalty after a Nkhata Bay Police defender was adjudged to have handled the ball in the box. Simukonda rushed to take it and did not make a mistake to register his hat trick of the day.
Moyale were, however, dealt a big blow in 77th minute when their goal custodian limped out of field of play and was replaced by Isaac Chitete.
But this misfortune did not take a sting from the soldiers’ attacking machinery as they continued to bombard the hapless cops who were in sixes and sevens.
Munthali launched another attack, exchanged passes with Crispin Fukizi before releasing a cross to Simukonda to score his fifth goal in 82nd minute.
Simukonda rounded up his goal scoring galore in 88th minute after a set-up by strike co-conspirator Chikwanda.
Moyale Assistant Coach Themba Mtontholo who was in charge of the team in the absence of Temwa Msuku was on cloud nine following the triumph.
“We started our game forcefully not because we were afraid of our opponents but we wanted to read their game and tactics. You know cup games are always tricky especially when you’re playing with teams you know little of their game,” Mtontholo said.
His counterpart, Isaac Terry Milanzi attributed the loss to fatigue and inexperience, saying most of the players used were new.
“There was also no coordination due to the fact that we’re just building our team. Most of our players are inexperienced and were a little scared to play against a giant like Moyale,” he said.–Malawi News Agency
Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV :
