Rachael Kaphaizi
The story was all good back home when Chitipa United, this year’s newcomers of the Airtel Top 8 cup scored two goals without conceding at home.
Their head coach Christopher Nyambose had assured his home fans when leaving the northern region that they will not surrender their lead as they visited Lilongwe.
He said before the match: “We know they want to score, but we are ready. If we will not score, then we will make sure that they should not score past us.”
However, that plan could not be executed; Nyambose’s men surrendered their two goal lead at Civo Stadium. His men could not believe it. Their first season appearance was all but a story of heartbreak; Kamuzu Barracks scored two through a Sammy Chiponda penalty and Sherif Maulana, forcing the game into a penalty shootout.
The military side won 4-3 on penalties and progressed into the semifinals, where defending champions FCB Nyasa Big Bullets lie in wait.
At the final whistle, Kamuzu Barracks coach Charles Kamanga thanked his boys for the fight and turning the tables in Lilongwe.
“The boys have done a fantastic job. We did not play our best, but we will go back and prepare for the next challenge. It won’t be easy, but we are supposed to achieve something this season,” he said.
Sad, Nyambose said they did not play according to plan.
“Our game plan was solid, but unfortunately, we conceded an early goal that cost us. It was a lack of experience from my defender, who opted to push instead of containing the opponent.
“We prepared well and played a good game. The opposition utilized their physical fitness and home-ground advantage effectively, so congratulations and best of luck to them” he said.
Kamuzu Barracks midfielder, Christopher Mtambo was named man of the match.
Penalties:
Kamuzu Barracks scored through Sammy Chiponda, Christopher Ntambo, Gregory Nachipo and Gift M’bwana while Hope Namadzunda missed his penalty.
Chitipa United scored their penalties through Lamson Lukali, Fahadi Mcheka and Francis Nyirenda while Ramadhan Ntafu and Peter Mughogho missed.
Interviews:
Kamuzu Barracks coach Charles Kamanga thanked his boys for the fight and to turn the tables in Lilongwe.
“I want to thank the boys for a fantastic job. We did not play our best, but we will go back and prepare for the next challenge. It won’t be easy, but we are supposed to achieve something this season,” he said.
Nyambose said they did not play according to plan.
“Our game plan was solid, but unfortunately, we conceded an early goal that cost us. It was a lack of experience from my defender, who opted to push instead of containing the opponent and conceded that penalty.
“We prepared well and played a good game. The opposition utilized their physical fitness and home-ground advantage effectively,” he said.
Line-ups;
Kamuzu Barracks:
Banda, M’bwana (c), Nkhokwe, Wayekha, Nachipo, Mugala, Namadzunda, Chiponda, Nyirenda, Makawa, Kanjira.
Chitipa United:
Ndili, Mughogho, Msiska, Mtcheka (c), B.Joseph, Lukali, R.Nyirenda, Beza, Kuyokwa, Muyira, Ntafu
