Mzuzu United survive scarce in Carlsberg Cup

Mzuzu United FC on Saturday survived a scare from Lunyangwa Research as they narrowly beat them 3-2 in a thrilling Carlsberg Cup match played at Mzuzu Stadium.

The Carlsberg Cup is being sponsored to the tune of K30 million.

Wilted Simfukwe struck twice while Misheck Kawonga added the third to give Mzuzu United the lead.

Wasteful Lunyangwa players were busy chasing their shadows the whole of the first-half.

But the researchers put Mzuzu United under siege in the second-half.

Leman Dumbo Junior capitalised on their opponents’ pressure and pulled one back before man of the match Jairos Simkonda scored the second goal a few minutes later.

“We deserved to be punished because we relaxed in the first-half,” Lunyangwa Research coach Black Masebo told The Nation after the match.

With the win, Mzuzu United advance to the next stage of the competition where they will meet winners between Baula FC and Eagle Strikers next week.

Elsewhere, Ekwendeni United beat Chipilingu by a similar margin.

Meanwhile, Mzuzu United, Golden Pirates, Uliwa, Mzuni and Area 1B have advanced into the next stage.

In the Southern Region, Ndirande Icons and Max Bullets on Saturday qualified for the third round.

Icons came from behind to beat Nyasa United 2-1 at Kamuzu Stadium whereas Max Bullets edged Chitakale 1-0.

Chisomo Kamulanje put Nyasa in the lead, but their joy was short-lived as Mphatso Zolimba equalised for Icons before Lucas Papiwa snatched the winner.