Wadabwa penalty sends Wanderers into semis

Peter Wadabwa scored from the spot as Mighty Be Forward Wanderers beat MTV Maxi Bullets 2-1 to advance to the semifinals of this year’s Presidential Cup.

Max Bullets made a blistering start at the Kamuzu stadium on Wednesday afternoon as they were displaying good passing football with Mayeso Mphanje, Robson Banda, and Frank Kadam’manja winning the midfield battle for the team.

But the Nomads started building some momentum in the 13th minute of the match as Mike Kaziputa, Rafique Namwera, Peter Wadabwa and Stanley Sanudi were playing excellent football and creating chances.

The pressure paid dividends for the Nomads as they took the lead in the 20th minute. Isaac Kaliati capitalised on a defensive error after Max Bullets defenders failed to clear Ted Sumani’s powerful throw-in.

After that goal, Maxi Bullets resurrected as their midfield started ticking once again and they began attacking the Nomads goal too dangerously.

Midway through the first half, referee Felix Liwonde awarded the Super League minnows a free kick outside the penalty area. Mayeso Mphanje stepped up for the challenge and slotted the free kick into Peter Munthali’s right corner and it was 1 all.

Two minutes later, Luke Milanzi scored from the rebound after Isaac Kaliati’s shot was denied by the cross bar but the goal was disallowed by the referee claiming Milanzi scored from an offside position.

After 40 minutes, Wanderers coach Eddington Ng’onamo brought in Alfred Manyozo on the place of Ernest Tambe.

As the first half was going towards the end, Mighty Wanderers continued to threaten as Luke Milanzi volleyed wide from a promising position in the area after he received a through ball.

After the break, both sides invaded the pitch with fresh ideas as they were all in search for goals but it was Max Bullets who started the half on an impressive note as their midfielders kept on winning the battle in the centre of the pitch.

The Nomads were stunned by MTV Maxi Bullets’ early dominance of the match and failed to muster a response as their midfield was not ticking.

Ng’onamo then introduced Amos Bello in the 70th minute after sacrificing Milanzi.

Bello quickly settled into the match and started causing trouble to the Max Bullets defence as he was playing excellent football. In the 76th minute, he won the Nomads a spot kick after he played the ball towards the hands of Frezar Menyani.

Peter Wadabwa stepped up for the challenge and put the Nomads back in control of the match after sending the Max Bullets goalkeeper Alex Makina the wrong way. The match ended 2-1 in favour of Wanderers.

Speaking to the media after the match, Maxi Bullets coach Trevor Kajawa said it was a good game for both sides but the Nomads were lucky to win the match.

Wanderers coach Ng’onamo thanked his team for the win and said he is aiming to win the cup.

Following the win, the Nomads will face Moyale Barracks in the semifinals of the cup.