By Pempho Nkhoma
Blantyre, September 29, Mana: Mighty Mukuru Wanderers have progressed into the semifinals of Airtel Top 8 Cup after defeating Bangwe All Stars 4-2 on post-match penalties after the game ended 1-0 in favor of Bangwe All Stars in regulation time making it 1-1 on aggregate.
The game played on a sunny Saturday afternoon at Mpira Stadium in Blantyre promised to be a tough contest from the first whistle as both teams played a very physical game and the first half ended goalless.
At half time both teams made changes with the hope of finding the back of the net such that in their attempt to outshine each other, Wanderers brought in Wallace Adam and Thierry Tanjong Sama replacing Misheck Botomani and Gaddi Chirwa while Bangwe introduced Felix Dumakude in place of Lyton Chinong’one.
The host who looked a changed side in the second half, found their goal and the only one of the game in the 55th minute through Temitope Ojeyinka Ebenezer who headed in Richard Lapson’s free kick making it 1-0 on the day.
With both teams searching for a goal to avoid going into post-match penalties it was Wanderers who came the closest to scoring in added time when their left back, Timothy Silwimba produced a powerful shot but Bangwe All Stars goalkeeper, Elias Missi responded with a fantastic save and the game went into post match penalties.
Wanderers goalkeeper, William Thole was the hero of the day as he denied Bamgwe side two penalties and scored one himself to help his team reach the next stage of the competition.
The nomads scored their penalties through Isaac Kaliati, Wisdom Mpinganjira, William Thole and Thierry Tanjong Sama while for Bangwe’s Innocent Msowoya and Clever Chikwata scored while Felix Dumakude and Temitope Ojeyinka Ebenezer saw their spot kicks saved by nomad’s goalkeeper.
After the game Mighty Mukuru Wanderers, Head Coach, Meck Mwase, praised his charges for reaching another stage.
“We congratulate the boys for working very hard, we are happy that we have progressed to the semifinals,” he said.
On his part, Bangwe All-Stars Head Coach, Trevor Kajawa, accepted the defeat saying that penalties can go either way.
“It was like we won in 90 minutes and it come into penalties which is rotary and luck was not on our side so we have to congratulate Wanderers for winning the game,” he said.
Wanderers will face the winner of the semifinal game between Silver Strikers and Premier Bet Dedza Dynamos.
