Nomads, Silver final again

In a stunning coincidence, Mighty Wanderers will again face Silver Strikers in the final of the Standard Bank Knockout Trophy to determine the team that will cart home the K8 million (about $20 000) cheque ultimate prize.

Last year, the two teams met in the finals, which the Nomads won 2-0.

Again, just like last year, the Bankers yesterday beat Civo United 2-1 in the semi-finals at Silver Stadium, in a match that drove the fans through a bewildering gut of emotions.

Civo will rue missed chances and needless ball holding. They came close twice, but on both occasions, striker Lawrence Mwehiwa and captain Emmanuel Zoya failed to score with only goalkeeper Charles Swini at their mercy.

Dimunitive forward Green Harawa was the toast of the afternoon in the Bankers camp when he struck a double that helped his team qualify for the final.

The first goal came after a move of utter beauty. Lazarus Nyemera made a solo run into Civo’s goal area and in a flash, he stylishly backheeled it to Harawa who did the rest to perfection with a powerful shot that left Civo goalminder puzzled.

The second-half started at a high tempo and the Bankers were in the comfort in the 53rd minute when referee Grace Msiska awarded them a penalty after Blessings Phiri fouled a dangerously advancing Chawanangwa Kaonga. A composed Harawa converted the spot kick without breaking sweat; no fuss, no panic, job done and Silver fans were on cloud nine.

As desperation took its toll on Civo, they made three substitutions at one go, taking out injured Jabulani Linje, Blessings Phiri and Lawrence Mwehiwa for Noel Mkandawire, Wyson Nkhana and Asedi Ajasi respectively. The move breathed new life into the Civil Servants’ game.

They were rewarded for their hard work in the 65th minute when they, too, were awarded a penalty for a foul and Patrick Gunde cooly converted it.

From then on, Civo fought for an equaliser, but Silver held on by the skin of their teeth.

The tempo changed in the dying minutes, in which the Bankers appeared in total control with Kaonga and Nyemera turning on the heat, but they could not score the third goal. Game over! And it was the Bankers who moved forward.

Civo coach Oscar Kaunda expressed disappointment with the result: “We created several chances, but we failed to utilise them. However, that said, I was impressed with my players’ fighting spirit.”

His Silver counterpart Stain Chirwa was all smiles as he said: “It was a tough game, but we were the better side and we created good chances compared to our opponents. With the way we have played, I am convinced that the future appears bright.”