Tigers knock-out Epac

Depleted Azam Tigers booked a 2014 Standard Bank Knock-Out quarter-final berth with Kamuzu Barracks after preying on blunt Epac 1-0 at Kamuzu Stadium on Wednesday.

Played before a handful of fans on a sunny afternoon, Tigers turned to the experienced players to deliver the preliminary round goods through winger Bernard Harawa who blasted into the net a direct free-kick on seven minutes.

Harawa stretched Epac defence whereas Mapopa Msukwa returned to action to partner wasteful Frazer Menyani. Overall, both sides connived to miss clear-cut scoring opportunities when missing was more difficult than scoring.

Epac resorted to long range speculative attempts from revitalised left-back Dave Moya and Clement Mvula whose bicycle kick was too weak to trouble Tigers’ custodian Thomas Kalavina on 30 minute.

Tigers carried their slender lead into the second-half when Nafe Msasa, who stepped in for Msukwa, had his powerful drive spilled by Epac goalkeeper only for Bright Munthali to unbelievably place the rebound into the terraces.

Menyani should have killed off Epac when faced with clear sight of goal on the break, but he opted for a more difficult option of squaring the ball behind Epac defence and in the process, catching Tigers’ advancing attackers off balance.

Tigers were without regulars such as Isaac Kaliati and Boston Kabango, who are with the Under-20 team, and technical director Robin Alufandika was furious, saying: “We struggled to beat this team as our four players were not released. This is not on gentlemen.”

In other quarter-final matches, holders Mighty Wanderers face Moyale Barracks while Silver Strikers host Blue Eagles today [Thursday].