Mponda frustrated by KB draw, as Civo exit Carlsberg Cup

Malawi Defence Force (MDF) headquarters outfit Kamuzu Barracks on Saturday, July 25, 2015 wrapped up its TNM Super League first round assignments with a goal-less draw against visiting FISD Wizards at Civo Stadium in Lilongwe.

The result saw the Lilongwe based soldiers displacing fellow soldiers Mafco on position five- courtesy of better goal difference. Both military sides have 22 points from 14 games but KB boasts of a better goal difference of 6 against Mafco’s 4.

Victory over the bottom side would have secured KB a top-four finish at the expense of Blue Eagles but the whipping boys from Blantyre denied the soldiers full points with a disciplined defensive display coupled with instantaneous counter-attacks.

Uncharacteristic of their previous style of crisp short passes, which only worked in pleasing the crowd, the Peter Mponda boys neutralised the soldiers’ advantage by matching their long-ball style of play. That worked to the advantage of the youngsters as the soldiers were on a number of occasions caught unawares.

The soldiers were lucky not to concede a goal in the 62nd minute when super substitute Hendrix Misinje broke clear into the D-zone only to shoot wildly with just goalkeeper Amadu Ali at his mercy.

Despite the point, Mponda was far from pleased with the performance of most of his boys, hoping for an improved performance when his side wraps up its first round campaign with a date against wounded Civo United at the same venue on Sunday.

“It’s frustrating. Only four or five of our players were in the game and the rest were left behind in Blantyre.

“I would have been contented with the draw if we were okey on the standings but we need to get the full points to improve on our standing. I am hoping for an improved performance against Civo tomorrow,” said Mponda.

His counterpart Kenwood Nkhoma said his charges tried all they could to get past the rookies but praised the opponents for a disciplined performance at the back.

“We tried all we could to win the game but Wizards defended well and were organised in midfield and striking force. Although they are at the bottom, they are a very good side and this team is the future of our national team,” said Nkhoma.

Despite the point, Fisd are still rooted on the bottom with seven points from 13 games.

In a Carlsberg Cup round-of-16 encounter played a stone-throw away at Silver Stadium, giants Civo failed to respond to a first half strike by Chipiku Premier Division side Support Battalion to painfully exit the K30 million sponsored competition.

Battalion will now face Silver Strikers in the quarterfinals.

 

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