Mighty Mukuru Wanderers qualified for the Ibongetse Castel Challenge Cup round-of-32 after seeing off Katete FC of Lirangwe in Blantyre District 10-1 in a one-sided match played at Kamuzu Stadium.
As expected, Wanderers dominated play despite resting most of their regulars.
The Nomads started the match without goalkeeper Richard Chipuwa, defenders Stanley Sanudi, Lawrence Chaziya and Peter Cholopi and midfielders Felix Zulu, Gaddie Chirwa, and Wisdom Mpinganjira.
The top stars only joined the fray from the bench in the second half.
Seasoned striker Chiukepo Msowoya opened the scores through a header after being set up by Isaac Kaliati before the latter himself scored the second following a well-calculated move by Francisco Madinga.
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It was then goals galore as the Nomads scored two quick goals through Madinga who, in similar fashion, rounded off the entire Katete defence before beating the helpless George Faki in goals to make it 4-0
Kaliati then sealed the first half with the fifth goal to see the two teams going for recess on a 5-0 score line in favour of the giants.
Msowoya continued to haunt Katete in the second half with two quick goals in the 50th and 55th minutes.
With scores reading 7-0, Katete breathed some life into their game with a goal from a penalty which Foster Manyozo converted to reduce the arrears.
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However, the lone goal did not dampen Wanderers’ spirits as Madinga netted twice with Robin Ngalande hitting the back of the net once to boot Katete out of the cup.
Wanderers Coach Mark Harrison described the fixture as a training match.
“We scored three goals in the first 10 to 15 minutes and we knew that it was over. It then just out to be a training session for us in the end but it was good because we were able to give some of our players game time. It’s unfortunate that the referee gave out a penalty that should not have been. I think he was feeling sorry for our opponents. It’s bad that I am having to talk about such things after almost every match,” Harrison said.
His Katete counterpart Mario Gadaga hailed his charges for playing well despite the huge loss.
“We came to prove that Blantyre Rural also has very good players. This is a rural team and it is not like we expected it to beat Wanderers. The one goal we scored means a lot to us. We did our part by playing good football and we are going back home with pride,” Gadaga said.
