By George Mponda

Mzuzu, July 24, Mana: Moyale Barracks Sunday send Silver Strikers packing out of FDH Cup 10-9 on post-match penalties at Mzuzu Stadium to advance to quarterfinals.

The match which was highly patronized started on a low note and the first half ended goalless with Silver Strikers’ Mark Fodya's well taken freekick saved by Macdonald Harawa as Gasten Simkonda blasted the ball over the cross the bar missing only notable chances.

In the second half, Moyale Barracks veteran defender, George Nyirenda was pulled out after sustaining a hamstring injury in the 49th minute and immediately after, Silver Strikers took the lead with Mark Fodya curling in a beautiful free kick which beat Harawa, sending their supporters into frenzy.

However, Moyale did not relent and they pushed hard for an equaliser which they got in the 75th minute after Brown Maganga found their talisman captain, Gasten Simkonda with a perfectly weighted cross into the box which Simkonda calmly controlled and smashed into the net making it 1-1.

After that, although both sides pushed to get the winning goal, it did not work for both teams until the referee blew his whistle taking the match into post match penalties.

Moyale Barracks were first to take the penalty and their captain Simkonda stepped up but he turned from a hero to a villain after Charles Thom went the right way and saved his penalty.

Silver Strikers and Flames attacker, Stain Davie blasted the ball over the cross bar for his fifth penalty which was supposed to win Silver the game and the shootout went into sudden death.

However, Harawa emerged hero of the day after saving Tatenda Mb'alaka’s last free kick sending Moyale Barracks FC fans into jubilation as they invaded the picth to carry their long serving goalkeeper.

 Coach for Silver Strikers FC, Peter de Jong blamed the condition of the stadium for his side’s poor performance.

"It was a difficult game because football on this very bumpy pitch is not possible. We scored once and then they equalised and we lost in post match penalties which are everyone’s game,” he claimed.

Coach for Moyale, Nicholas Mhango hailed his charges for winning the match in front of their supporters who had turned out in large numbers.

"We knew it was going to be a tough game and we prepared well, that is why we won. And if some are blaming the pitch for their loss, then I want to assure them that these are the conditions of pitches in Malawi and we have been playing on such grounds for a long time. There is nothing strange here,” he added.