Nomads to face KB in Standard Bank Cup semis
It took Mighty Wanderers 653 minutes to end their goal drought and winless streak yesterday when they moved forward in the Standard Bank Knockout Trophy.
It was refreshing to see smiles on the faces of Nomads faithful at Balaka Stadium after a deserved 2-0 win over Red Lions to qualify for the semi-finals.
It was also a sweet revenge for the Lali Lubani Road outfit, who were booted out of this year’s Presidential and Carlsberg cups by the Lions.
Burly forward Innocent Dzimbiri drew first blood in the 23rd minute. He coolly controlled a well-curled corner-kick by Mike Kaziputa before he fired the ball home.
The Zomba-based soldiers tried to come back into the game but their coordination in midfield and upfront was fragile.
The Lions cause suffered a big setback when referee Jones Makhuwira showed Innocent Bokosi the red card for an off the ball foul on Wanderers skipper Alfred Manyozo Jnr.
Manyozo Jnr put the game beyond Reds’ reach in the 63rd minute.
Nomads coach Stuart Mbolembole admitted that they played the game under pressure.
“At least there is some pressure off and I can say I am the happiest man today after all that we have gone through,” said Mbolembole.
His Lions counterpart Mike Kumanga said: “Wanderers were a better side today. We now have to switch focus to the league.”
In Lilongwe, Kamuzu Barracks kept themselves on course for another go at a major trophy after beating Moyale Barracks 1-0 in another quarter-final at Civo Stadium.
Kelvin Hanganda scored the only goal of the match 11 minutes into the game.
He was at the right place in the box to capitalise on a fumble by Moyale goalkeeper MacDonald Harawa.
Moyale were denied a seemingly genuine penalty minutes later by referee Anthony Rafael, triggering protests from the Moyale bench.
Moyale came back in the second-half with more aggression and scored through former Civo United player Dan Katunga in the 67th minute, but the goal was disallowed for offside.
Moyale coach Nicholas Mhango had no kind words for Rafael whom he claimed was outright bias.
Mhango said they will lodge a formal complaint against Rafael’s handling of the match.
On the other hand, KB coach Billy Phambala expressed satisfaction with the officiation and said they deserved to win.
