KB coach hails nomads
Kamuzu Barracks (KB) FC coach Billy Phambala yesterday swallowed his pride after his team’s 2-0 loss to Be Forward Wanderers in the finals of the Big Four Wafawafa Bonanza, saying the Nomads deserved to win.
The Super League champions were subjected to a footballing masterclass and were relentlessly torn apart by the Nomads who turned on a vintage display to win the mini-tournament at Bingu National Stadium in Lilongwe.
The Nomads will get K1 million cash prize for emerging champions of the tournament organised by the four teams.
“The way Wanderers played, they deserved to win. They were by far a better side,” said Phambala after the match.
Skill, style and steel, the Nomads had all the ingredients as they saw off the Malawi Defence Force (MDF) outfit without hardly breaking sweat.
The Nomads new-signing midfielder Yamikani Chester tormented the soldiers with his classic dribbles and deft touches, Alfred Manyozo Jnr kept the midfield tight and ticking while Lucky Malata and Foster Namwela stood firm at the back.
A goal in each half from Mike Kaziputa and Ishmael Thindwa, were purely a product of the Lali Lubani Road outfit’s dominance.
The Nomads surged ahead in the 18th minute when an attacking move resulted in a goalmouth scramble before Kaziputa ghosted in to slot the ball home.
KB created a few chances, but Diouf Simaone and Herbey Nkacha did little to trouble the Nomads’ veteran goalkeeper Vales Kamzere.
The soldiers tried to reorganise themselves in the second half but could not penetrate through the Nomads’ tight defence and midfield.
Wanderers have such depth that when the ship is sinking, they have captains in reserves to steer it into safety and deep into the second half, their coach Yasin ‘Titch’ Osman unleashed strikers Peter Wadabwa and Jimmy Zakazaka.
The move bore fruits in the 71st minute when Zakazaka sent a scorching low shot which KB ‘keeper Lemani Nthala could only fumble towards Thindwa who clinically put it away.
Wanderers could have extended their lead but their strikers missed some good chances.
After the final, whistle a jubilant Osman said: “I am pleased with the way we played. I want us to be playing entertaining football and also win at the same time.”
In the third-place play-off played earlier, Nyasa Big Bullets beat Silver Strikers 5-4 in post-match penalties after playing out a goalless draw in regulation time.
