Wanderers double dream on
Be Forward Wanderers dream for a cup double is on track after holding their nerves to sneak past 10-man Mafco 4-3 on post-match penalties and clinch a Standard Bank Knock-Out Cup quarterfinal berth yesterday.
There were scenes of jubilation at Civo Stadium as the 2015 Carlsberg Cup kings, Wanderers, shrugged off Mafco following a goal-less draw in regulation time of the preliminary round match.
The Nomads next meet Red Lions in the last eight joining Dedza Young Soccer Stars who saw off Kamuzu Barracks 10-9 also through penalty lotteries the previous day at the same venue.
Wanderers were stretched to the limit in normal play. The Nomads failed to make their numerical advantage count after Paul Ndlovu of Mafco was red-carded in the 39th minute for fouling Nomads goalkeeper Richard Chipuwa.
All four Wanderers players save for Rafik Mussa converted from the spot, whereas Chipuwa saved one Mafco attempt. The Salima soldiers’ woes were compounded by Zasha Mnongoneza’s last-gasp penalty miss. Osward Nkagula had earlier also missed for Mafco.
During open play, the first half ended goalless as both teams failed to grab the opener.
Mafco had the best chances of the first half, but their striking force of Kalisto Kalinda and Osward Nkagula missed three closest chances.
On part of Wanderers, the Nomads were shaky in defence but dominated the midfield through probable man-of-the-match Mussa.
However, their striking force failed to capitalise on Mafco’s poor goalkeeping by Jailosi Kapalamula. The game seemed to favour the Nomads when Ndlovu got marching orders, only for Mafco to hold onto until full time.
At the end of the game, Wanderers coach Elia Kananji hailed his charges for the brave performance against tough opposition.
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