Nomads march on
Holders Be Forward Wanderers yesterday marched to the quarter-finals of the Carlsberg Cup after beating Mafco 1-0 in a round of 16 match at Balaka Stadium.
Defender Bongani Kaipa scored the lone goal when he swung upfield to head home captain Joseph Kamwendo’s set piece in the eighth minute.
But the Nomads were dealt a blow when referee Azizi Nyirenda sent Kamwendo for an early shower following a second yellow after a foul on Maurice Chiumia. This means he will miss Sunday’s TNM Super League derby against Nyasa Big Bullets.
Mafco took advantage of the numeric prowess and pressed for an equaliser, but they failed to unlock Nomads defence marshalled by Lucky Malata and Foster Namwela as the Nomads hanged on to the lead.
In a post-match interview, Wanderers coach Yasin Osman said they expected the game to be tough.
“It was a very difficult game, without doubt. But we expected it,” he said.
Mafco coach Temwa Msuku said they gave up the match in the first-half.
“In the second-half, we tried to come back into the game, but it was impossible,” he said.
The Nomads join Nyasa Big Bullets, Blue Eagles, Moyale Barracks, Red Lions and Kasungu Police in the last eight.
The last two quarter-final slots will be filled this weekend as lower league outfits face Super League sides.
Michiru Madrid host Super League rookies Chitipa United tomorrow at Chilomoni Stadium while Masters Security Southern Region Football League side Cobbe Barracks welcome top-flight league side Blantyre United at Balaka Stadium on Sunday.
The draw for the quarter-finals will be held after the match between Michiru and Chitipa United. n
