Wanderers reach FDH Bank Cup semifinals after thumping Santhe

Mighty Mukuru Wanderers on Saturday afternoon added their mark in the FDH Bank Cup as they ruthlessly thumped the second-tier side, Santhe Admarc at the Kamuzu Stadium.

Mighty Mukuru Wanderers Supporters could dream of their first ever FDH Bank Cup final but they will have to overcome Mafco FC in the semi-finals. Their cross-town rivals, FCB Nyasa Big Bullets stood on their way last season when they crashed.

Debutant, Francisco Madinga reminded everybody of his quality as he returned to the Club with a mark while Francis Nkonda, Isaac Kaliati, Vitumbiko kumwenda and Vincent Nyangulu scored a goal each for the Nomads to go into the last four with confidence.

Santhe Admarc had financial motivation from the legislator of the Kasungu South, Simplex Chithyola Banda who pumped in MK7.5 Million ahead of their long trip to Blantyre.

In the first half, the visitors proved that it was not by fluke to reach the quarterfinals of the tournament this season as they made it difficult for the Nomads to break their defence.

Francis Nkonda “songo” head was the only difference at the break between the two sides but it was raining goals in the second half. A resilient display from the visitor in the 20 minutes of the first half was broken when Nkonda darted out of Santhe’s defence to connect home Vitumbiko kumwenda’s cross.

Santhe Admarc who booted Kamuzu Barracks, Mighty Tigers out of the tournament had little threat when going forward and their winged crosses couldn’t prove to be hot for William Thole who has started almost all games for the Nomads this season.

Wanderers Coach was not pleased with the team’s performance in the first half and called for the players to create the winning mentality.

“In the second half yes [I was satisfied with the performance], in the first half no. I thought in the first half we were going through the emotions a little bit,” started the Briton. “We had a few words at half time and in the second half we were excellent. What we did in the second half, we should have done in the first half.”

The Nomads were filled with ecstasy when they welcomed back their boy, Francisco Madinga who replaced Francis Nkonda at halftime and Vincent Nyangulu went in for Chiukepo Msowoya. The Nomads were blazing.

Wanderers had three goal probes and they were made to wait for the answers. Isaac Kaliati beat Santhe’s goal-keeper, Zahaya Malithano from close range after combining with Gaddie Chirwa before Madinga announced his arrival.

Kaliati turned out to be a provider from the scorer. Vitumbiko kumwenda turned out to be a scorer from a provider. Wanderers were 4-up. Isaac Kaliati whipped in the ball into the path of left-footed Vitumbiko who beat the goal-keeper comfortably before Vincent Nyangulu finished the game off.

“I don’t know if [the players were underrating Santhe], something in the football club that we need to break. It seems it’s the mentality that seems to have been here for the last four to five years. It’s something that I am working on. We are trying to break that mode. We need to create a winning mentality week in week out. It doesn’t matter who we play or when we play, we have to do it that way. It’s work in progress.”