Karonga United forward Alfred Chizinga’s second half brace sent Mighty Wanderers packing from the Airtel Top 8 following a 2-0 victory at Karonga Stadium yesterday.
Ingwina ya Karonga sailed through to the semi-finals 2-1 on aggregate after losing the first leg 1-0 at Kamuzu Stadium in Blantyre.
They will face holders FCB Nyasa Bullets, who booted out Creck Sporting Club 1-0 on aggregate on Saturday.
In yesterday’s match, after a goalless first half, the hosts started the second stanza determined to pull level and it came in the 54th minute when Allen Chihana’s well-curled cross was connected home by Chizinga to send the home fans into frenzy.
The goal boosted Karonga’s confidence as they pressed for the winner.
And cometh the 78th minute, cometh the man as Chizinga struck the second to break the Nomads’ hearts.
Chihana was the architect of the goal when his delivery was flicked to Chizinga to head the ball home.
Sensing danger, desperation took a toll on the Nomads as they searched for an equaliser, but the answer was no from the Crocodiles of Karonga.
Wanderers coach Bob Mpinganjira accepted defeat, saying: “We tried our best, but it’s part of the game. We played well, but we couldn’t score.”
He appealed to the Nomads followers not to lose hope, but continue rallying behind their team.
On the other hand, Chris Chinkwita said they knew that they would turn the tables, having lost by a single goal in the first leg.
“I believe we deserved to win because we were the better side. But the disappointing thing is that we didn’t reach our target to score more than three goals. Nevertheless, we are happy that we have progressed,” he said.
In the TNM Super League, champions Silver Strikers chalked their first win yesterday when they beat Kamuzu Barracks 2-0 at Champion Stadium in Mponela, Dowa through goals from Zebron Kalima and Stan Dave.
The Bankers are 10th with four points from three matches.
In other games, Blue Eagles beat Mighty Tigers 2-1 while PremierBet Dedza Dynamos saw off Chitipa United 2-0.
