Frank Mojah Dzuwa
It was a heart break! At 95 minutes when everyone thought Blue Eagles have made it into the Castel Challenge Cup final, Gift Magola slotted in a dramatic equaliser to force the game to penalties. The goal came after a failed clearance by Eagles defender Sankhani Mkandawire.
Magola’s goal cancelled a Micium Mhone opener who struck in the 83rd minute following a defensive lapse, firing past Donnex Mwakasinga to put his side ahead.
In the penalty shootouts, Eagles could not fly as they failed to utilize all their spot kicks with Chikumbutso Bello missed the decisive penalty as his effort hammered the bar and could not fly further going down to Dedza Dynamos 4-3.
Dynamos booked a place in a national final for the first time. They have a date with the Castel Cup final for the first time in their history.
Earlier on, Dynamos had started on the front foot, with greater possession and clear chances. Eagles on the other hand stayed compact and planned to hit on the counter. Despite sustained pressure, neither side found a way through in a goalless first half.
The game sprang to life after the interval as both coaches rang the changes in search of a breakthrough. With time running out, Dynamos threw numbers forward but lost it with just seconds to the final whistle.
Head coach Alex Mgwira hailed his players’ resilience after the match.
“I am so happy and proud of the boys for the way they have performed in this competition. Many people did not give us a chance to reach the final, but we kept pushing. Now that we are in the final, I am very happy,” he said.
Blue Eagles coach Dercleck Msakakuona took the defeat as a seasoned fighter, describing it as a valuable lesson.
“That’s the beauty of football. You don’t win the game during play; you win it after the final whistle. There are many lessons to take as we prepare for the new season, and we wish our opponents well,” he said.
Goshen Dedza Dynamos will now face either FCB Nyasa Big Bullets or Mzuzu City Hammers in the Castel Challenge Cup final at Bingu National Stadium on February 21.
Penalties:
Eagles: Maxwell Gustavo (scored), Tonic Viyuyi (scored), Sankhani Mkandawire (missed), Gilbert Chirwa (scored), Lanken Mwale (missed), Chikumbotso Bello (missed).
Dynamos: Lughano Kayira (scored), Christopher Phiri (missed), Bright Masebo (scored) Friday Osagie (missed), Dan Mponda (scored), Peter Zulu (scored).
