Nomads complete Carlsberg party
The Carlsberg Cup party would have been incomplete without three-time winners Mighty Be Forward Wanderers.
The Nomads yesterday completed the 2018 edition quarter-finals list after walloping Dwangwa United 4-1 at Kamuzu Stadium in a match which was beamed live on Mibawa Television.
The visitors started poorly as they allowed the Nomads to get an early goal in the fifth minute through Zicco Nkanda, who beat Dwangwa goalkeeper Charles Thom after he was fed by striker Peter Wadabwa inside the box.
Dwangwa quickly reorganised themselves and managed to hold the Nomads thanks to midfielder Ben Manyozo, who did well to contain Wanderers attack machinery led by Joseph Kamwendo in the midfield battle.
But his effort was fruitless since the Nkhotakota-based outfit were playing with a lone striker, Hassan Upindi, and he could not unlock Wanderers defence of Stanley Sanudi, Peter Cholopi, Precious Sambani and Bongani Kaipa single-handedly.
After the break, the Nomads reignited the tempo of the game in search of more goals.
Impressive Wadabwa, who played a full game after a long absence from the starting XI, made in 2-0 in the 55th minute, heading in from a Kamwendo corner kick.
Left-back Sambani headed in the third almost in a similar fashion in the 68th minute.
Kamwendo quickly took a short-corner kick before swinging it in for Sambani to head-in after catching Dwangwa defence flat-footed.
Dwangwa got a consolation goal in the 74th minute through Ganizani James whose glancing header beat in-form Nomads ‘keeper Nenani Juwaya near the post.
But the Nomads responded ruthlessly and overlapping Sambani completed a brace in added time, beating Thom who had left his line to narrow the angle.
In post-match interview with Mibawa Television, Dwangwa team manager Davie Mwandira blamed the loss on poor goalkeeping and lack of fire power upfront.
“We just gave them the goals. Our strikers were also not good enough today,” he said.
Wanderers coach Bob Mpinganjira said they will immediately start preparations for the quarter-final against unpredictable Azam Tigers on Sunday.
“I am very happy that we are in the quarter-finals. Our aim is to win the cup and I am sure we can beat Tigers and go all the way to achieve our goal,” he said. n
