(Dedza win 10-9 on penalties)
Super League rookies Dedza Young Soccer on Wednesday qualified for the quarter-finals of the Standard Bank Knockout Cup after beating Kamuzu Barracks 10-9 on post-match penalties.
This was after the regulation time failed to produce a winner as the two teams fought out a two-all draw at Civo Stadium in Lilongwe.
Dedza will now face Civo United in the quarter-finals.
Hazwell Gamphani, Matthews Salirana, Chisomo Mpachika, Chisomo Gillion, Amadu Makawa, George Mponda, Fletcher Banda, Wilson Magombo, Wachimwa Sadik and Leonard Matiasi were all on target for Dedza.
World Nkuliwa, Kelvin Malikebu, Mustapha Hussein, Harvey Nkacha, Julius Mkwinja, Pilirani Makupe, Dave Banda, Oscar Chapitapansi and Samson Chiponda converted for KB while Victor Nangwale missed his.
It was a thrilling encounter as action catapulted from end-to-end.
Dedza took the lead through Fletcher Banda’s well-curled free-kick from over 28 metres in the 17th minute, making clear their intentions of progressing to the quarter-finals.
The goal threw KB off balance and for a while they danced to the rookies’ tune. But they reorganised themselves with Harvey Nkacha and Dennis Kambewa greasing the wheels of industry with their raids and it did not take long for Dedza defence to panic.
ManaseChiyesa, who made his debut for the Flames against Swaziland last Sunday, equalised in the 23rd minute after Dedza defence was caught napping.
The resumption of the second half saw KB enjoying more play.
KB coach TemwaMsuku introduced World Nkuliwa for Kambewa in 65th minute and the impact was immediate.
Receiving a fine pass from Nkacha, he outrun his marker on the right wing to unleash a grounder past CarlingtonMisomali in goal for Dedza to give the soldiers the lead in the 67th minute.
Celebrations were short-lived for KB as they went on to concede a penalty.
AmaduMakawa made no mistake with the penalty. He sent Victor Nangwale the wrong way to make it 2-2.
