Moyale date Nomads in Fisd Cup semi-finals

Moyale Barracks on Sunday qualified for the semi- finals of Fisd Cup after conquering Blue Eagles 3-2 at Nankhaka ground in Lilongwe.

The Kaning’ina Lions joined Nyasa Big Bullets and Be Forward Wanderers while winners of Silver Strikers and Kamuzu Barracks on Saturday will complete the semi-final set.

The 2017 Fisd losing finalists—Moyale—invaded Blue Eagles’ base with a mission to reach the semi-finals for the second consecutive year running.

Moyale took the lead two minutes into the game when Sandless Munthali planted home Gift Nyondo’s cross, beating Blue Eagles goalkeeper John Soko from close range.

Five minutes later, Munthali pulled the trigger again, but Soko tapped it over for corner kick.

Blue Eagles equalised through Stuart Mbunge in the 15th minute when Maxwell Salambula had outpaced Moyale central defender, Boyi-Boyi Chima.

Three minutes later, Eagles took a 2-1 lead through midfielder, Gilbert Chirwa.

But in the 34th minute, Moyale levelled the scores through a well-delivered free-kick from Munthali for Lloyd Njaliwa to score.

Just a minute into second half, Eagles striker Salambula squandered a chance in the box when Moyale defenders, Chima and Victor Mwale were drawn off-guard but he blasted the ball over.

Moyale hit where it pains most in the 71st minute when their captain Gastin Simkonda fired home the vital goal.

Both teams made substitutions, in the 75th minute, Moyale brought in Wiseman Kamanga for Munthali while Eagles pulled out Gregory Nachipo and Mecium Mhone for Mike Nyondo and Brian Msumatiza and later Mbungue was rested for Dennis Nandolo,  a move which yielded no results.

Eagles Coach, Derkelk Msakakuona admitted that Moyale were a better side.

“This is a bad a result for us taking into account that we are coming from a string of defeats. We need to go back and rectify our problems so that we should finish the league well,” he added.

Moyale assistant coach Victor Chingoka praised his charges, saying, despite trailing at one point, they never gave up.

“We are glad that we have managed to beat Blues eagles three times this season and we knew that this game they will play hard to get results,” he explained.

Moyale will face Wanderers in the semi-final in a repeat of previous semi-finals in Airtel and Carlsberg Cups in 2017 while Bullets will meet the win of the quarter tussle involving FISD Defending Champions, Kamuzu Barracks and Silver Strikers.