Moyale sails through to Presidential Cup finals
Moyale Barracks on Saturday became the first team to cruise into the finals of the 2012-2013 K60 million (about $240 000) Presidential Cup.
The Mzuzu-based soldiers fought hard to beat the Zomba-based Soldiers Red Lions FC 3-2 in a mouth watering semi finals clash at Kamuzu Stadium in Blantyre .
The game
Steven Mkandawire opened the score sheet in the 10th minute with a clinical finish for Moyale before Victor Phiri hit the second in the added time of the first half.
On recess time, it was the Mzuzu based soldiers 2-0 to the old capital city giants, Red Lions.
Mkandawire struck the third in the 69th minute to put the game beyond the Lions’ reach.
Sensing danger, Red Lions recovered quickly in the 76 minute, when Chikoti Chirwa equalized one after three beautiful passes.
Reds’ coach Collins Nkuna changed tactics which saw Chimango Chirwa hit one back in the 76th minute
As people thought the game would end 3-1, Moyale Barracks captain, Lovemore Mitengo, who conceded an own goal after poor communication with his goalkeeper.
In the last ten minutes of the match, Red Lions changed the tempo of the game with some brilliant passes but their striking force lacked composure in front of the goal.
Post-match comment
After the final whistle, Moyale Barracks coach Nicolas Mhango praised his troops for the victory and vowed to concur in the final match.
“I am happy that we have won, but let me praise my boys for the job well done. Even though we do not know which team we will play with in the finals, we are ready for either Bullets or Escom,” said Mhango.
Lions coach, Collins Nkuna, who was once his assistance at Moyale, conceded the defeat but complained of poor match fixtures.
“We have lost but my only problem was with Casper Jangale (Football Association of Malawi official). We have played all our games away and this has also contributed to our failure,” said Nkuna.
He bemoaned his “porous” defence for conceding the three goals.
The Kaning’ina-based soldiers will now meet winners of Sunday’s other semi-final showdown between Big Bullets and Escom United in the finals.
