Mighty Wanderers reach FDH semifinals
Mighty Wanderers, in a bid to live up to their billing as inaugural cup specialists, took a giant step Sunday when they defeated Mafco 2-0 to qualify for the semifinals of the K90 million FDH Bank Cup.
Forward Vincent Nyangulu and midfielder Vitumbiko Kumwenda scored in the first half at Kamuzu Stadium to progress to the last four.
Nomads will be joined by either Silver Strikers or Nyasa Big Bullets, who are expected to meet in a quarterfinal match once the People’s Team return from Tanzania where they are taking part in the Cecafa Cup.
Nyangulu headed home a Vitumbiko Kumwenda corner in the 20th minute to unsettle the Salima-based soldiers, who won the first-round league fixture at the same venue.
Wanderers bossed play in the first half and Kumwenda summed up his day with a well calculated freekick that hit Mafco defender Aubrey Chafewa before sailing into the net.
Mafco threatened to pull one back but Nomads’ defender Peter Cholopi made a goal-line clearance, denying Zikani Sichinga a goal.
Wanderers Coach Bob Mpinganjira hailed his charges for following the game-plan.
“They showed it during training that they were hungry for victory. We switched our formation to an offensive one to kill the game in the first half,” he said.
Mafco Coach Temwa Msuku blamed his charges for failing to clear set-pieces.
“We did not concede from open play. We certainly need to improve on how to defend set-pieces. The other goal came from a corner kick and another one from a free-kick,” he said.
The win came after Wanderers President Thom Mpinganjira gave the players a motivational talk during training on Thursday.
The Lali Lubani Road side have joined Ekwendeni Hammers and Rumphi in the semifinal.
Ekwendeni reached the semifinals after knocking out Ntopwa 2-0 whereas Rumphi United overcame Dedza Young Soccer 4-1. Ekwendeni and Rumphi will meet in the semifinal.
