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Nomads, Eagles move forward

Nomads, Eagles move forwa

Be Forward Wanderers started their Fisd Challenge Cup defence with an emphatic 3-0 victory over unpredictable Masters Security at Kamuzu Stadium in Blantyre yesterday.

Felix Zulu scored the opener in the 44th minute before substitute Misheck Bottoman doubled the lead in the 55th minute.

Mike Kaziputa wrapped up the show in the 89th minute as the Nomads sent a strong warning to defend the cup which they have already won twice.

The first-half was a balanced affair as the Nomads played it safe while the visitors were agitating to unsettle the hosts.

Juma Yatina should have made a difference, but his efforts were simple for in-form Nomads goalkeeper William Thole to handle.

The Nomads waited until towards the end of the first-half to turn the heat on the visitors.

Isaac Kaliyati’s thunderbolt outside the box just before half time proved too hot for Masters goalkeeper Chimwemwe Kumkwawa who parried it to safety.

But Masters centreback Maneno Nyoni was slow to clear the ball and winger Zulu pounced on the rebound to make it 1-0.

Masters went for half time break optimistic of coming back into the game only for Bottoman to break their hearts

after replacing Zicco Nkanda.

The crafty midfielder burst on the left wing covering acres of space.

He then back-heeled it for Ted Sumani and got the return pass right in the box before curling it beyond Kumkwawa.

Kaliyati and Babatunde Adepoju had a chance to extend the Nomads’ lead, but Kumkwawa twice saved Masters in one-on-one situations.

But it was just a matter of time before Kumkwawa succumbed to the bombardment.

Kaziputa made it 3-0 in the 89th minute with a beauty scored from 35 metres.

Masters goalkeeper Kumkwawa, after leaving his line and successfully punching away a long ball from Babatunde, was caught off guard by a rebound from Kaziputa into an empty net.

Wanderers coach Bob Mpinganjira was all smiles as the Nomads title defence took off as planned.

“We are very happy that we are through to the quarter-finals. We look forward to the next game,” he said.

For Masters newly appointed coach Audroy Makonyola, it was a disappointing afternoon.

“It’s sad that we are out. We missed a lot of chances. But all I can say is hard luck to us. As a new coach I did not expect them to perform like they did today,” he said.

In another game played yesterday, Blue Eagles beat second tier outfit Mafco 2-0 with Schumacher Kuwali and Micium Mhone goals.

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