Dedza, Wanderers through, others booted out in FDH Cup
Dedza Dynamos Salima Sugar Football Club have secured the round of 16 slot after seeing out the FDH Bank Cup defending champions, Silver Strikers Football Club at Dedza Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
Patrick Mwacheso missed his penalty spot in the shootouts as the two teams played a goalless draw despite getting some half-scoring opportunities in the regulation time.
Both teams started on a high note as they were trying to counter-press, closing spaces and creating some chances to find a breakthrough that would take either team to the next round but defensively, both teams did nice preparations.
Silver strikers featured a strong starting Xi with Steven Micheta in between the goals, Captain Mike Robert, Nixon Mwase, Maxwell Paipi, Tetenda M’balaka formed a rock at the back while Zebron Kalima, Chikondi Kamanga and Levison Maganizo were in the engine room. Chawanangwa Kaonga, Stain Davie and the veteran Frank Banda formed the front-three.
On the other hand, Dedza Dynamos Salima Sugar, Dan Dzimkambani though missed the services of attacker, Clement Nyondo and defender Clement Chipanda, he utilised the available resources to match defending Champions pressure and level of play.
Goalkeeper Donnex Mwakasinga started between the posts with Mathews Salirana, Justice Chihoma, Mathews Zaulombo and Lughano Kaira shielding him from dangers Silver’ attackers.
Edward Dakalira, Hudnson Milanzi, Limbani Phiri and Lameck Gamphani were in the middle of the park while Charles Chipala and Promise Kamwendo were tussling upfront with Silver’ rock.
After goal drought in the first half, both teams made changes in the second half as Dedza brought in Christopher Phiri, Henry Misinjo for Lameck Gamphani and Hudson Milanzi respectively. Silver Strikers introduced Maxwell Gasten Phodo, Chinsisi Maonga, for Stain Davie and Levison Maganizo to eginite their attack.
Prior to full-time both technical panels changed their goalkeepers in preparation for the penalties. Silver introduced Charles Thom for Steve Micheta while Dedza Dynamos threw in Andrew Tinkulu for Donnex Mwakasinga.
Lughano Kaira, Christopher Phiri, Charles Chipala, Limbani Phiri and Henry Misinjo converted from the spot for Dedza Dynamos Salima Sugar.
Chawanangwa Kaonga, Chinsisi Maonga, Charles Thom and Maxwell Paipi scored their penalties while Patrick Macheso saw his penalty saved by the substitute goalkeeper, Andrew Tinkhulu.
After the game, Dedza Dynamos Salima Sugar FC head coach Dan Dzimkambani complimented his boys for the job well done against Silver Strikers.
“It was a good game from both sides but I am happy with my boys for what they have done today surely we will continue from where we have stopped today in the next game,” Dzimkambani said.
While his counterpart, MacDonald Yobe, assistant coach for Silver Strikers said they missed a lot of chances especially in the first half and they payed the price.
“Our boys played well but missed a lot of chances and it is part of the game we just need to move together as a team in order to concentrate on other competitions otherwise we congratulate our colleagues for making it to the next round,” Yobe said.
Dedza Dynamos Captain Justice Chihoma was voted as the man of the match.
Silver Strikers beat Ekwendeni Hammers 2-0 last year at Bingu National Stadium to claim the championship for the inaugural season.
Elsewhere, in Blantyre, Mighty Wanderers outlived Kamuzu Barracks Youths scare to secure their place in the round of 16 of the 2022 FDH Bank Cup.
The Nomads booted out the young Chiwoko boys through penalties as the game ended in a 2-all logjam in regulation time.
Kamuzu Barracks Youth displayed a spirited performance in the second half as they managed to overcome a 2-goal deficit. Felix Zulu and Misheck Bottoman gave the Lali Luban Road side the lead in the first half but it proved nothing as Marshall Maluwa and John Banda levelled the matter in the second half.
Experience helped the Nomads to win the game in penalties.
Eddington Ng’onamo, Mighty Wanderers Head Coach said there are a lot to do with his team.
“It was a good game and played well in the second half but wind that was blowing disturbed our style. My boys played well in the friendly games that we played but today they were not at their best especially our frontline. We will work on it so that we should manage to score more goals. Am not satisfied with the performance,” said Ng’onamo.
His counterparts, Dennis Kambewa Kamuzu Barracks Youths Head Coach said they struggled in the first half.
“Wanderers were better in the first half, maybe my charges were respecting the opponents. After talking to them at halftime, we managed to match the intensity of the game and scored two goals. We have good players and we played very well. Penalties are game of chance, and it happens in Football, we accept the defeat,” said Kambewa.
This means that the Rockies, Dedza Dynamos will play Mighty Wanderers in the Round of 16 of the FDH Bank Cup.
At Balaka Stadium, Thumbs Up side, Changalamu Barracks beat Super League side, Mafco FC in a Military affair to book their place in the round of 16. Amidu Mapira and Emmanuel Allan scored for Changalume while Malunga netted a consolation goal for the Salima based soldiers.
Changalamu will face the winner between Karonga United and Iponga FC in the next round.
In Karonga, Rajab Nyirenda’s lone strike was enough to take Chitipa United to the next round as they stun the Super League struggling side, TN Stars.
Chitipa United will play Kawinga FC in the round of 16 of the tournament.
In Dwangwa, Elwendeni Hammers whip the Flyng Soldiers, Airborne Rangers by two goals to one as they sail through. Brian Phiri and Mabuchi Msiska were on target for the Hammers while Henry Mlelaya scored for Parachute Soldiers.
Etson Kadenge Mwafulirwa’s men will take on the winner between Blue Eagles and Rumphi United.
In the post match interviews, Etson Kadenge Mwafulirwa was very happy with the victory.
He said, “It was a good game. We didn’t play the way we do but the goodness is that we have managed to go to the next round.”
In Lilongwe, 10-man Kamuzu Barracks recorded a vital victory over their brothers in Arm, MDF Marine to sneak a round of 16 slot at Civo Stadium.
Zeliati Nkhoma scored a brace for the area 23-based soldiers and former Silver Strikers centre-half, Helbert Wayekha was sent off for slapping his opponent.
Kamuzu Barracks will face the winner between Civil Service United and Baka City.
The teams that have booked their places in the round of 16 are Kawinga FC, Dedza Dynamos, Ekwendeni Hammers, Mighty Wanderers, Chitipa United, Kamuzu Barracks, Extreme FC, Kadona FC, and Changalume Barracks.
Action will continue on Sunday as Nyasa Big Bullets visit Sable Farming at Mulanje Park, Tigers date Nyasa Big Bullets Reserve at Mpira stadium, Karonga United lock horns against Iponga United and Civil Service United play host to Baka City at Civo Stadium.