Cobbe Barracks FC on Sunday advanced to the next phase of the Carlsberg Malawi Cup when they beat determined Tigers Reserves 2-0 at Prison ground in Zomba.
The win was a sweet welcome to their recalled coach Billie Phambala in his first competitive match.
Two second-half goals by the Ziba brothers (Mapopa and Dominic) condemned the visitors to the doldrums of football as they bowed out of the lucrative competition in earnest.
Despite the loss, the visitors started on a promising note in a goalless first-half by mounting pressure on the soldiers. Davie Mpesi Jnr rattled the cross bar with a long range effort in the 5th minute before Steve Tambala’s near-post shot was parried over the bar by Cobbe Barracks goalkeeper Dennis Matola.
However, the soldiers reorganised themselves and took the game to the visitors. Rogers Mhango and Prince Phiri were the architects of most of their attacks from midfield.
The home side drew first blood in the 60th minute when second-half substitute Mapopa powered in a shot after being put through by Fumbani Sumba.
A few minutes later, Dominic doubled the advantage in a solo effort after Reserves defenders were caught flat-footed in the line of duty.
