PIS semi-final battle heightens in Balaka
The Presidential Cup semi-final battle rolls back into action Wednesday afternoon at Balaka Stadium.
In an earlier kickoff, Balaka Socials clash with Galaxy FC at midday. Later, Mbera United face determined Pack & Go at the same venue.
Mbera winged into the quarter-finals following a 2-0 boardroom decision after their game against defending champions Chilobwe FC was stopped when the latter walked out of the filed of play to protest against a penalty Mbera goalkeeper saved.
Their game, which ended in 2-2, went straight into penalty shoot-outs. When both teams were tied at 10-10, Chilobwe’s Samuel Chibwana had his penalty saved, the champions claimed the keeper came off his line before the spot kick was taken.
Mbera could not take their decisive penalty as Chilobwe goalkeeper refused to take his position, forcing referee Lesley Kuchilunda to end the match, pending official decision.
Balaka District Football League (BDFL) applied the Presidential Cup rules and penalised Chilobwe by awarding Mbera a 2-0 victory.
Chilobwe reached the quarter-finals after edging Tisewere 3-2.
Meanwhile, Toleza and Phalula Dynamos have already clinched semi-final slots. In games played on Sunday at Balaka Stadium, Toleza beat Kapire 5-4 in post-match penalties after the two teams drew 2-2 in regulation time.
