Gaddie Chirwa and Francisco Madinga striked twice and once respectively to book the Blantyre derby against rivals Nyasa Big Bullets FC in the sixteen round of the FDH Bank Cup.
Interim Head Coach Meck Mwase and his charges travelled to Balaka Stadium with the conscious that the shelves at Lali Lubani Road are yet to kiss the glory of FDH Bank Cup. The assignment against Cobbe Barracks FC was therefore a must win for Mwase and his troops at all cost.
Mwase made two changes to the starting eleven that walloped Mighty Tigers FC 1-2 in the previous fixture of the top flight TNM Super League. Cameroonian born Sama Thierry Tanjong and Francisco Madinga made the grade in the starting eleven while Christopher Kumwembe and Wisdom Mpinganjira dropped to the bench.
The 4-5-1 formation saw Richard Chipuwa being maintained within the sticks as Captain Lawrence Chaziya, Peter Cholopi, Stanley Sanudi and Timothy Silwimba marshalled defence. Midfield kingpin, Felix Zulu partnered with enterprising Blessings Singini in central midfield whilst Gaddie Chirwa and Francisco Madinga operated on the right and left flanks respectively. In-form Isaac “Chair” Kaliati was given free role with Sama Thierry Tanjong leading the onslaught.
The soldiers of Zomba made sure the Mukuru Boys were frustrated at all cost by not allowing the visitors register any score for the first ten minutes. The blue family waited until the twelfth minute when Man of the Match, Gaddie Chirwa beat the offside trap and shot into the bottom corner, beating the charging Barracks’ goal minder to the far post and sending the Nomads’ fans into frenzy.
At the stroke of 20th minute, the Lali Lubani Boys got a free kick deep into the attacking half and close to the 18 yard box. Left footed Francisco Madinga stepped up and curved into the top corner, driving Wanderers’ supporters into uncontrollable ecstasy.
Chirwa was recorded on the score sheet again in the 25th minute after breaking through on the right flank, cruising into the box and and slotting the ball home. The visitors had a realistic chance in the 34th minute when Richard Chipuwa heroics saved a shot by the soldiers in a one on one affair. 0-3 it was when the two sides went for a recess.
Come second half, Coach Meck Mwase made five changes. He pulled out Blessings Singini for Baliko Balikihno Mwakanyango. In the 65th minute, Wisdom Mpinganjira and Vitumbiko Kumwenda stepped in for Isaac Kaliati and Gaddie Chirwa. Richard Chipuwa and Stanley Sanudi departed the stage in the 75th minute for Dalitso Khungwa and Ahamad Kung’unde.
Sama Thierry Tanjong was unlucky in the 52nd minute when his effort hit a post after beating his opposite number and darting into the box before pulling a shot. Isaac Kaliati also nearly added a fourth before his shot outside the box was saved for a corner. Truth be told, the Thomson Mpinganjira Boys could have been seven goals or more up by the stroke of 90 had it been that the scoring opportunities were effectively utilized. 0-3 it ended in favor of the visitors.
Speaking on behalf of the technical bench, Simplex Nthala was all smiles with the win. “We are excited with the result, we found opportunities in the first half and we utilized them. As you noted, we didn’t score any goal in the last half which means if we didn’t finish the game in the first half, probably we could have witnessed penalties which are largely unpredictable,” remarked Nthala the goalkeepers’ coach.
The Nomads date FCB Nyasa Big Bullets FC in the Round of 16 at a date and venue to be announced by the organizers.
