Kamuzu Barracks are Carlsberg Cup champs
Kamuzu Barracks (KB) on Saturday emerged champions of the K20 million (about $20 000) Carlsberg cup football competition after outclassing Moyale Barracks 1-0 in the final match played at Mzuzu Stadium.
An 81st-minute goal from striker Harvey Nkacha helped KB to triumph over fellow military side Moyale when he made a clinical finish in the box after a melee, beating goalkeeper McDonald Harawa who was not in his usual splendid form.
“I am very happy to win this cup. We played so well and it is not surprising that we have won,” KB coach Billy Phambala told journalists in a post-match interview.
In his remarks, Moyale coach Nicholas Mhango congratulated their brothers in arms, saying they deserved the victory as his charges were wasteful.
Moyale missed great chances through Gastin Simkonda, Sandress Munthali, Steve Mkandawire and Deus Nkutu.
KB goalie Leyman Nthala made fantastic saves which could have seen the Mzuzu-based Moyale carrying the day at least by four goals. No wonder, after the match, Nthala was carried by supporters .
The final, which was graced by Minister of Youth and Sports Enock Chihana, was closely fought with hair-raising moves coming one after the other.
KB, who looked well drilled in every department, played with confidence right from the start and their composure was superior to their opponents.
The Lilongwe-based team’s defence marshaled by Sam Chivunde, Ben Isaiah and Mustapha Salimu was solid as they kept Moyale’s lethal striker Gastin Simkonda at bay.
Moyale made several changes, bringing in Nkutu for Lesman Singini, but were completely outmarked until the end of the game.
Speaking in an interview after the match, Carlsberg Malawi senior brands manager Twikale Chirwa commended the spirit with which teams played the game, saying it was very competitive and nobody wanted to lose.
This is great. In Carlsberg Cup’s history, no team has ever defended the cup it is once and the other teeam wins,” he said.
KB cart home K7 million (about $17 500) for their feat while Moyale will pocket K3 million (about $7 500).
