Silver beat Bullets 1-0 to progress to quarters: Malawi Presidential Cup
Chawanangwa Kawonga’s stunning strike in the 75th minute enabled Silver Strikers to book a quarter final slot of the K60 million Presidential Cup on Sunday after sending Big Bullets packing in a fully packed Civo Stadium in Lilongwe on Sunday.
The Bankers new catch from Civo United was a thorn to the Peoples Team defence from the word go, as he was subjected to Rugby tackles by Bullets defenders with Sankhani Mkandawire being first before Douglas Chirambo.
But he was not intimidated as he kept on taunting the Bullets with his blossoming skills which saw his long range breaking the hearts of the Bullets supporters as Bankers celebrated the famous victory.
The result means that Silver will meet Kabwafu FC in the quarter finals on Wednesday.
Bullets failed to display their usual classical football as their wonder boy Gabadihno Mhango was tamed well by Luck Malata and Benard Namangwiyo.
Gabadinho had a relatively quiet game as the script had been written by Kawonga forward to have the final say.
The People Team tried all they could have done but the damage was already done by Kawonga.
At the final whistle Civo Stadium was a cauldron of noise as Silver strikers chanted and celebrated their win.
“Goodbye to the Cup, goodbye!” sang the Silver fans.
Silver coach Franco Ndawa said he was delighted with the win.
“It’s important to win against Big Bullets,” he said, adding “I thank God for the victory.”
“We needed the courage and the belief to win this game and we did have the quality,” he said.
” The Bible says in Romans 10 verse 11 that he who believes in God will not be shamed,” said Ndawa.
While Bullets coach Eddington Ng’onamo simply said: “It wasn’t our day.”
To qualify for the round of 16, the People’s Team demolished Escom United 6-0.
The Bankers edged Epac 1-0 on Friday to qualify for the round of 16. Jester Mulima scored probably the fastest goal of the tournament within the first 30 seconds.
In other round-of-16 matches, Moyale Barracks came from behind to beat Kamuzu Barracks 2-1 at Mzuzu Stadium with Red Lions also fighting from a goal down to defeat Cobbe Barracks by the same margin.
The Lions from Zomba will line up against Mighty Wanderers in a crucial quarterfinal fixture at Kamuzu Stadium on Wednesday. On the same day, Moyale will travel to Chitowe for a quarterfinal tie against Mafco, who beat Blue Eagles 2-0 on Saturday.
Tigers FC, who were 1-0 victors over Karonga United will host Mzuzu United who defeated Mikundi FC 4-2 at Civo Stadium on Saturday.
