Civo send Dedza packing

Two Civo United first half goals from Gerald Mkungula and Nelson Kangunje were enough to end Malawi youthful team of Dedza Young Soccer dreams of reaching the last four of the Standard Bank knockout cup at Civo stadium on Friday.

Civo has become the first team to reach the semi finals of this years standard bank cup after beating Dedza young soccer 2-0 in the first quarter finals match that was played in Lilongwe.

The match started on a higher intensity as both teams were looking for goals in the opening minutes of the match, but it was Civo United who scored first in the 15th minute of the match through Gerald Mkungula.

After that goal both teams started pressurising each other but it was Civo United which was very dangerous on the attack as they were in search for their second goal of the match.

On the 33rd minute of the match Civo had a chance to double their lead when they were given a free kick on the edge of the box but Blessings Kawanga blasted it over the bar.

3 minutes later Dedza Young Soccer could have scored an equalizer through Fletcher Bandawe who failed to put the ball into the back of the net with the Civo United goalkeeper already beaten.

Civo United again punished Dedza Young Soccer through Nelson Kangunje on the 45th minute of the game when he Dedza defenders failed to clear Emmanuel Zoya’s well driven in cross.

The first half ended 2-0 in favour of Civo United. Come the second half of the game Millius Jedwe Pofera’s Dedza Young Soccer Saints come in with new ideas which were destroying Civo’s defense and scoring two quick goals to level the score line but Civo United Solid defense mounted by Zoya, Nelson Nkana and John Lanjesi defended well.

On the 53rd minute Dedza could have pulled a goal back from a free kick on the edge of the box which was played by Fletcher Bandawe who’s scare was saved by Civo goalkeeper Mkandawire.

Dedza Young Soccer kept on pressurising Civo united but their lack of compusure in front of Civo goal kept on betraying them.

On the 66th minute Dedza again had a chance to pulled a goal back when they were awarded a free kick on the edge of the box but Jusa Mpachika again blasted the ball over the bar.

Dedza kept on pouncing on Civo United halve as they were capitalising on Civo United blunders from their defenders but lucky was not on Dedza Young Soccer’s side as they kept on wasting their chances.

On the 78th minute of the match Dedza keeper Carlngton Misomali was stretched off after pulling muscles and he was replaced by Precious Chiphaka.

As the game was going to an end Civo United could have scored their third goal of the match through Mkungula but his shot was blocked by Dedza Young Soccer defense.

On the 3rd minute of the added time after the initial 90 minutes was over, Dedza Young Soccer could have scored their consolation goal when they were award a free kick by referee Dennis Nguluwe.

Bandawe stood up for the challenge but his powerful shot went straight into Civo’s wall and that was the final kick of the match.

The match ended 2-0 in favour of Civo united and they will play the winner between Big Bullets and Moyale Barracks game in the semi finals of the Cup.