Malawi Carlsberg Cup: Civo out, EPAC, Tigers, Escom through
Epac FC had to come from behind to beat Civo Service United 3-2 in a thrilling and exciting match played at Silver Stadium in Lilongwe on Sunday in a Carlsberg Cup round-of-16 clash played at Silver Stadium in Lilongwe on Sunday, November 04, 2012..
Civo gave their supporters false hopes as they took a 2-0 lead as early as ten minutes into the first half but gave away the lead to lose to Epac alias ‘Njenjete zaku Lilongwe”
Former Red Lions striker Dan Katunga scored both goals for the Civil Servants.
Civo dominated the opening 30 minutes of the match only to lose rhythm in the final minutes of the first half earning Epac a consolation goal in the 43rd minute throuigh Pilirani Yasin who connected a cross from Richard Chande for the first half to end 2-1 in favour of Civo.
Second half
In the second half Epac continued from where it had left in the first half attacking the Civo Servants with full throttle.
Things turned worse for the Civo Servants midway into the half when their midfield work horse Alick Lihuhu who had a grand game was sent off after elbowing Epac’s Noel Mlelemba in an off the ball incident.
The introduction of Elias Phiri for Epac was a menace to Civo as the super substitute orchestrated dangerous moves in attacking and tormenting defenders.
Epac’s hard work paid them a good price in the 66th minute when substitute Elias Phiri headed in an equalizer, Chande provided an assit in this goal as well.
As every one thought the winner will be decided through post match penalties, Epac grabbed the winner two minutes into the extra time through a beautiful volley from Sam Gunda from 25 meters to decide the match.
Epac will now face Kabwafu FC at Mzuzu Stadium in two weeks time. Kabwafu won through penalty shoot-outs against Southern Region Football League (SRFL) side White Eagles at Mzuzu Stadium on Saturday, November 3, 2012.
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Epac coach Abbas Makawa saluted his players for putting up a gallant fight to come bank into the game having conceded “two early silly goals”.
“We conceded the two goals because we lacked concentration and our defence was abit disorganized,” Makawa told Nyasa Times.
He therefore promised to go beyond the quaterfinal stage and even grab the cup.
“We always finish in the quaterfinals in various cups and this time we will try to sail through to the finals,” he said.
His counterpart ‘Sir’ Alex Masanjala gracefully accepted the defeat and blamed his players for losing concentration after taking the lead.
“We have lost and I accept the defeat,” he said conscipiously dejected.
Other results
There were shocks in other ties, meanwhile, as Blue Eagles won at Balaka in an end-to-end match with Mighty Wanderers to knock them out on Saturday. Eagles will now meet Red Lions who defeated Silver Striker 2-0 in Zomba on Sunday.
At the Nankhaka Stadium, northern region side Super Eagles Super Eagles, who were responsible for the exit of Big Bullets from the competition met their match, where they fell 3-1 at the hands of Blue Eagles Reserves. The Eagles will face Envirom, who won against Mzuni in penalty shoot-outs on Saturday.
At Kalulu Stadium in Nchalo, Azam Tigers inflicted a sweet revenge on Moyale Barracks with a deserved 2-0 victory to reach the last eight of the showpiece.
Tigers scorers were Moses Nankumba and Clement Ng’ombe.
Tigers booked a quarterfinal berth against Escom United secured their quarterfinal berth against after beating Karonga Vendors 2-0 at Mzuzu.
