Gaddie Chirwa bails Wanderers as they beat Red Lions to reach last 8 of Castel Cup

Mighty Mukuru Wanderers saw off Red Lions to reach the quarter-finals of the inaugural 2023 Castel Challenge Cup on Sunday afternoon at Balaka stadium.

Most expensive signing in elite football in Malawi, Gaddie Chirwa’s second half strike was enough to give the Nomads their second 1-0 wins in row in the tournament after beating FOMO FC in the Round of 32 by the same margin.

The head coach for the Nomads, Mark Harrison, said his boys were tired, mostly in the first half where they missed a lot of chances and they need to sort out these problems of creating and not scoring.

“We could have ended the game at half time, many scoring chances 6 to 7 chances but we missed them all I think it’s one of the problems that we have been talking about the whole season so we need to sort out these problems because when we create and score I think I will be fine.” Said Harrison.

Meanwhile, assistant coach for Red Lions, Chifundo Masapula, conceded the loss saying his side lack composure leading to missing too many chances in the game.

“Yes we have lost but I have to thank the boys, they played very well, they created chances of which they missed but Wanderers got one and utilized it, it’s part of the game so this one is gone, we will look now at our final game in the league in Mzuzu.” Said Masapula.

Mark Harrison gave Vincent Nyangulu the chance to lead the attack as he was being flanked by Wisdom Mpinganjira and Gaddie Chirwa from opposite flanks.

The Nomads were off to a good start as Vitumbiko kumwenda lead the arsenals into the offensive zone before spotting towering Nyangulu whose looping header went shy of the goal.

As the head coach decried of wasting chances after the game, Red Lions were invited to clear the danger from Stanley Sanudi’s corner-kick before Nyangulu missed on one-on-one situation with Nenani Juwaya as he lofted his effort over the bar.

The hosts launched their first attack after 10 minutes and Chaziya used his height to clear an aerial cross and moments later, he was calling for the attention from the medics after colliding with former Moyale Barracks attacker, Deus Mkutu.

Mkutu invited William Thole to make a save with his thunderbolt that the goal-keeper needed two touches to tame it. On the other end, Chaziya was denied by Juwaya.

Mark Harrison had to make changes in his attacking area to add life into his team. Chiukepo Msowoya who scored a late goal against FOMO FC took the stage, replacing Vincent Nyangulu.

Just minutes after surviving from Red Lions’ danger, Wanderers came close to stub home in the 63rd minute but Stanley Sanudi’s free-kick missed Juwaya’s post by centimeters.

Francisco Madinga was called in for Vitumbiko kumwenda, and he registered his goal involvement three minutes later. Wanderers won a corner and the midfielder dipped it inside and Gaddie Chirwa rose higher to head it home and give Wanderers the lead in the 68th minute.

Red Lions applied a late pressure but it was not enough for them to get an equaliser.