Hangover blues
The expectation was that Hangover FC would, once again, give the soccer fraternity the feel-good tale of an underdog stunning a heavyweight, but sadly it wasn’t to be. Instead, they will wake up this morning nursing a terrible Carlsberg beer hangover following their 0-3 loss to Be Forward Wanderers.
The Chitetezo Mbaula Southern Region Football Association (SRFA) Premier League side’s remarkable run in the Carlsberg Cup was brought to a heartbreaking end yesterday at Kamuzu Stadium in Blantyre.
The Nomads will face fellow TNM Super League side Masters Security in the finals on October 20 at the same venue.
The Lilongwe-based Masters Security qualified for the finals after booting out holders Nyasa Big Bullets 4-3 through post-match penalties on Saturday at Civo Stadium.
Buoyed by ganyu (mercenary) fans, the second-tier league side, Hangover FC led by Lapson Richard and Innocent Thindwa, started brightly with an interlude of beautiful movement and passing, but with little purpose.
In a match monitored on Mibawa Television, Richard in particular, was a revelation as he performed his jinks and step-overs with ease and was fittingly named the man-of-the-match.
But once the Nomads shrugged off some early lethargy, they worked their way into the game and drew first blood in the fifth minute when a move of utter beauty on the right flank resulted in Yamikani Chester setting up overlapping right-back Stanley Sanudi to provide the final flourish.
After the interval, Hangover stepped up their game and forced the TNM Super League champions into rearguard action.
Sensing danger, the Lali Lubani Road outfit made a double substitution by taking off Yamikani Chester and Isaac ‘Tcheya’ Kaliati for Rafiq Namwera and Misheck Botomani, respectively. The move paid off for the Nomads who started playing with renewed purpose.
Veteran midfielder Joseph Kamwendo made it 2-0 after 70 minutes when he struck a volley from 25 yards out which gave Hangover ‘keeper Squeba Chipala not a prayer.
The goal demoralised Hangover who went on to concede the third goal with seven minutes to full time in bizarre circumstances.
A defensive lapse by Squeba and one of his defenders led to substitute Zicco Mkanda—who had just replaced Peter Wadabwa—ghosting in like a sneak thief to hammer the last nail on the coffin with his first touch.
Game over? Yes and the end of an adventure for the lower league side which booted out top-flight league sides Blue Eagles and Moyale Barracks along the way.
Their team manager Willard Banda said they have bowed out with their heads held high.
“I salute my players for fighting their lungs out. They tried their best, but experience prevailed for Wanderers.
“My players were also intimidated by Wanderers supporters prior to the match which somehow affected our performance. There was no spirit of fairplay,” he said.
On the other hand, Nomads team manager Stevie Madeira hailed Hangover as a good side, saying: “What they lacked was experience, otherwise they are a good side with a lot of potential and the scoreline is not a true reflection of the match.
