Two superb strikes from Vincent Nyangulu and Vitumbiko Kumwenda were the centrepiece of Mighty Wanderers’ 2-0 victory over Mafco FC in an FDH Bank Cup quarter-final contest at Kamuzu Stadium in Blantyre on Sunday.
The Nomads will now face winners between their rivals Nyasa Big Bullets and Silver Strikers in the semi-final.
Wanderers, who turned on a vintage display, surged ahead in the 22nd minute through Vincent Nyangulu’s crisp header from a Vitumbiko Kumwenda corner-kick.
It was the fourth goal for Nyangulu who leads the race for the tournament’s Golden Boot Award which has a K200 000 reward.
Driven on by Paul Ndhlovu, Vitumbiko Phiri and Maurice Chiumia, the Malawi Defence Force outfit fought for an equaliser, but the Nomads’ defence marshalled by right-back Stanley Sanudi, who was named man-of-the-match, stood firm.
The Lali Lubani Road oufit doubled the lead with a minute to recess, again from set-piece.
A well-curled free-kick by Kumwenda eluded the wall into the far corner of the net, giving Mafco goalkeeper Jailos Kapalamula no chance.
In the second half, the Nomads passed the ball around gently to kill time as the soldiers danced to their tune.
Mafco had a chance to pull one back in the 72nd minute but Chiumia headed a well-floated free kick wide from close range.
Wanderers coach Bob Mpinganjira hailed his charges for their fighting spirit.
“It was a tough game, but my players played according to instructions. The plan was to get an early goal so as to unsettle our opponents and it worked,” he said.
On his part, Mafco coach Temwa Msuku attributed the defeat to loss of concentration.
“We failed to defend set-pieces through which Wanderers scored both their goals. We were ball watching and did not play according to plan,” he said.
Ekwendeni Hammers and Rumphi United are the other teams that have qualified for the semi-finals.
Ekwendeni beat Ntopwa FC 2-0 while Rumphi saw off Dedza Young Soccer 4-1 on Sunday.
