Moyale Barracks date Kamuzu Barracks
They say soldiers never give up. Just when most thought that Nyasa Big Bullets were destined for the Fisd Challenge Cup final, Moyale Barracks netted an equalizer in added time to force post-match penalties at Civo Stadium in Lilongwe Sunday.
Eventually, Moyale triumphed 5-4 to date, in the final, fellow soldiers, Kamuzu Barracks, who defeated Masters Security FC by a similar margin at the same venue on Saturday.
Goalkeeper Macdonald Harawa was the hero of the day when he saved Nelson Kangunje’s penalty after Ntopinjo Njewa had netted his penalty for Moyale.
Moyale turned the stadium into a parade ground as they celebrated the hard-fought victory coming after a two-all draw in regulation time.
Smith Kadawati, Timothy Nyirenda, Crifford Fukizi and Limbani Suwedi scored their penalties for the soldiers whereas Mussa Manyenje, Pilirani Zonda, John Lanjesi and Fischer Kondowe converted their spot-kicks for Bullets.
In open play, Khuda Muyaba netted the opener when he beautifully connected Fukizi’s inviting cross in the first-half.
The two teams went for recess with the soldiers having a slender 1- 0 lead.
After recess, Bullets leveled the score through Nkhulambe who tapped in as Chiukepo Msowoya’s shot from close range. From that moment, it was a tense match.
With just a few minutes remaining, referee Duncan Lengani awarded Bullets a penalty after Njewa brought down substitute striker Muhammad Sulumba in the box.
Kondowe stepped forward and converted to send Bullets supporters into ecstasy
Moyale players protested the penalty as they mobbed Lengani. It took the intervention of stewards to bring order.
But the solders never gave up as Muyaba completed his brace with a close-range header in added time after Lanjesi was hesitant to clear a bouncing ball. It was a goal that broke the hearts of Bullets supporters.
After the game, Moyale Head Coach, Nicholas Mhango, said he was focusing on the final against KB, describing it a brotherly affair.
“I am very happy that we have won it. I do not want to comment much on the referees because this has been part of Malawi football,” Mhango said.
Bullets Team Manager, James Chilapondwa, said it was a bad day at the office.
“It was a great game to watch and we performed according to our strength but we lost,” Chilapondwa said.
Line-ups:
Moyale Barracks :Harawa, Njewa, Victor Mwale, Boyboy Chima, Victor Mwale, Suwedi, Fukizi, Gift Nyando, Victor Mwale, Muyaba, Zondiwe Munthali.
Bullets :Rabson Chiyenda, Zonda, Emmanuel Zoya, Lanjesi, Chimango Kayira, Kangunje, Kondwani Kumwenda, Kondowe, Manyenje, Nkhulambe, Msowoya.
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