National Division League side Mchinji Villa and Super League outfit Civil Service United have secured spots in the FDH Bank Cup quarter-finals after winning their Sunday fixtures.
Mchinji thwarted Chatoloma ADMARC 4-2 at Mchinji Community Stadium while Civil Service managed a 1-0 victory against Red Lions at Balaka Stadium.
At Mchinji Community Stadium, Chatoloma ADMARC were the first to score on the 16th minute through Henry Kaunda, who capitalised on a defensive error from the home side.
But the celebrations in the stands were cut short because Villa’s Kelvin Mustafa found the consolation two minutes later.
This bolstered morale from the home side as they started attacking heavily, but Chatoloma were resilient in their defence.
However, on the 38th minute, the visitors were reduced to 10 men as Tymon Nyirenda was red carded when he had fouled Villa FC’s Frank Kasalika.
Just before the break, 45+1, Dave Juwao doubled Villa’s lead.
In the second half, the trailing side made a triple substitution as Ronald Ribwera, Isaac Myaba and Abutie Maida were subbed off for Jonathan Banda, Patrick Martin and Mike Chidzanja.
On the 60th minute, fresh addition, Martin, managed to get his side to a tie when he scored through a penalty when Jonathan Banda was fouled by Villa’s defender.
With that, Villa’s Coach, Joseph Kamwendo, tweaked his system by introducing Jefrey Tika for Mazuzi Banda on the 69th minute.
His side continued to attack and Mustafa managed to get a brace on the 76th minute to make his side lead 3-2.
A minute later, he scored again, to bag a hat-trick, as he capitalised on the away side’s miscommunication at the back.
Chatoloma started panicking and introduced Alfred Malama for Shaban Amana, but this was ineffective.
On the 82nd minute, Mchinji were all in for a victory, as the introduced Franklin Titani replacing Shamiuna Watch, and had much of the ball up until the final whistle.
Kamwendo said his side had undermined their opponents just because they play a division below them, but he urged them to play their usual game in the second half.
“This was our chance to make it to the last 8. Our opponents came with a winning mentality, so we failed to play they way we always do. We are happy that we utilised the chances that we had,” he said.
Hellings Malunje, Coach for Chatoloma ADMARC, said the team was ‘brilliant’ but had little time to prepare due to mishaps in their management, hence the defeat.
“We have very good players. I think we just need to motivate them and we wish Villa all of the best,” he said.
At Balaka Stadium, both Red Lions and CIVO started with a balanced but physical game, as no real threat was registered in the first 45 minutes.
Chikaiko Batson for CIVO headed home on the 57th minute after he connected from a Righteous Banda’s cross from a free-kick.
Initially, both sides were physical from the first whistle.
Red Lions striker Royal Bokosi was the first player to be booked in the 14th minute for a foul on Charles Mafaiti, and CIVO’s Yankho Billiat followed seconds later for a rough tackle on Henry Kamunga.
In first-half stoppage time, on the fourth added minute, CIVO’s Precious Kapachika was also cautioned for a foul on Bokosi. Six minutes into the second half, CIVO’s John Dambuleni received a yellow card for a foul on Innocent Makalani. On the 64th minute, CIVO’s Biliat was given a Red Card after a second yellow following a rough tackle on Bokosi.
In the second half, both teams wanted to change their fates.
CIVO started first as they introduced Righteous Banda and John Dambuleni for Thomson Magombo and Grecious Kapachika, on the other hand, Red Lions’ Boniface Kaulesi and Ferguson Mtondo were the fresh legs, subbing off Mathews Simbeye and Humphreys Minandi.
After Batson’s goal, CIVO managed to hold their opponents, who were playing at home, to book a place in the quarter finals of the FDH Bank Cup.
Red Lion’s Head Coach, Malumbo Mkandawire, said both sides played a good game and accepted defeat.
“After that red card, we tried to make tactical changes and we indeed did give our opponents pressure, but it was not just our day,” Mkandawire said.
CIVO’s Coach, Abbas Makawa, said the game was simple ‘on paper’ but it was challenging on the ground.
“It was a rough game, some players were even involved in an altercation at the break. But I told the boys to adopt a fast possessive approach,” he said.
Bangwe All Stars versus Kamuzu Barracks game, has since been re-scheduled to be played on Monday to find the last team in the quarter finals of the FDH Bank Cup.
At the moment, Mchinji Villa’s Davie Jowao leads the scorer’s chat with 6 goals followed by FCB Nyasa Big Bullets’ striker, Babatunde Adepoju, who has 4 goals. Silver Strikers’ Binwell Katinji has three goals.
