Bongani Kaipa sends Nomads into FISD Cup final

Bongani Kaipa scored the only goal in the second half to send  Be Forward Wanderers into FISD Cup final at the expense of Blue Eagles at Kamuzu Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

It was a dull match as the visitors’s were left frustrated with Eagles’ style of play in the entire first half.

The only realistic chance fell through Maxwell Salambura whose header from a free kick was well saved by Valence Kamzere in goals for the visitors.

At the other end, Jabulani Linje saw his long range effort hitting the side-netting as the midfield battle between Phillip Masiye and Joseph Kamwendo intensified.

As the match was edging towards the end of the first half, Masiye almost scored from 25 yards out but his deflected drive missed the goal mouth with an inch and goalless it was at half time.

Come second half, it was the same old story as Eagles continued to frustrate the Nomads by playing a ‘ping-pong’ football, from their defence to the front line.

Eagles suffered a massive blow when youthful Gregory Nachipo was substituted after sustaining an injury from Kamwendo’s challenge and was replaced by Victor Nyirenda.

The Nomads made a double substitution, Felix Zulu and Amos Bello all coming in for Jimmy Zakazaka and Linje respectively.

In the 70th minute, Kamwendo burst into Eagles’ box, but he hit the side-netting with the visitors simply a cut above their hosts.

Just when everybody thought the game was heading towards the shootouts, Wanderers got their goal through Kaipa who rose higher in the sky to head past John Soko in goals for the Cops from a Mike Kaziputa corner kick, 1-0.

The goal sparkled the visitors as they kept on pushing for another goal but Wadabwa, Bello and Zulu lacked the finishing composure in front of goals.

Eagles tried their level best to force something out of the game but Nomads defence stood firm to progress to the final where they will play the winner between Silver Strikers and Kamuzu Barracks.

As for the Eagles, their search for silverware continues with another heart-breaking cup exit.