KB through to FISD Challenge Cup semis, to face Hangover
Kamuzu Barracks Football Club, a Super League side from the Malawi Defence Force Headquarters in Lilongwe, is through to the semi finals of the 2019 edition of the FISD Challenge Cup after eliminating Savenda Chitipa United by 3 goals to nothing at Mzuzu Stadium on Saturday.
From the word go, the battle was largely in the middle of the park where Kamuzu Barracks’ Chikoti Chirwa and Sam Gunda had to tussle with Savenda Chitipa United’s Emmanuel Muyira and Christopher Mtambo.
The soldiers had their first attempt on goal 8 minutes into the game when a decent cross from the left found Marshall Maluwa in the penalty box but United goalkeeper Jeremiah Simfukwe managed to parry the ball away.
Five minutes later, the home side displayed a brilliant exchange of passes in building up an attack but Emmanuel Muyira shot wide.
The visiting soldiers celebrated their first goal in the 31st minute when a World Nkuliwa’s corner kick from the right found defender Nation Haraz in the six metre box. Haraz had no problems nodding the ball past goalkeeper Jeremiah Simfukwe to give his side a 1 nil lead.
Five minutes before recess, Fransisco Kamdzeka broke through on the right and his powerful shot was fumbled by Savenda Chitipa United goalie but Marshall Maluwa arrived in time to tap in the rebound. 0-2.
The second half started with the home side piling more and more pressure on the visitors. Dread rocked Emmanuel Muyira’s decent free kick in the 68th minute floated into the penalty area but Mario Nkhoma’s scissors kick missed the target with a whisker.
KB’s Ndaona Daisi pulled a thunderous shot in 78th minute and Savenda Chitipa United goalie fumbled before comfortably saving Manase Chiyesa’s rebound header.
United continued terrorising the soldiers’ defence but poor shooting characterised their finishing prowess as they missed chance after chance.
Fransisco Kamdzeka scored KB’s third goal three minutes before full time.
Midfielder Chikoti Chirwa for Kamuzu Barracks was voted man of the match.
Speaking to Nyasa Times after the match, Kamuzu Barracks coach, Temwa Nsuku, said he was very happy to win the game but the condition of the pitch disturbed his side’s play.
“Playing standards were low by both sides because of the condition of the pitch but we are happy to sail through to semis. We need to prepare thoroughly before we meet Hangover FC in the semis because they are not an easy side,” said Nsuku.
Savenda Chitipa United coach, Alex Ngwira, said his charges lost the rhythm by copying KB’s play.
“It’s all over for us in this cup but the way my players played gives me hope that we can continue doing well in the super league,” Ngwira remarked.
Kamuzu Barracks will face a second tier league side, Hangover Football Club, in the semi finals at a date and venue to be announced by the Football Association of Malawi (FAM). Hangover booted Be Forward Wanderers out of the competition by 2 goals to 1 on Friday at Kamuzu Stadium in Blantyre.
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