Kangunje silences Civil

…Tigers knocked out by Cobbe as Moyale Barracks down Mwanza Border United…

Nyasa Big Bullets have booked a place in the last 16 of the Carlsberg Cup after a hard fought 2-1 home victory over resurgent Civil Sporting Club at Chilomoni Stadium on Wednesday afternoon.

Nelson Kangunje scored his first goals for Nyasa Big Bullets to hurt his former side as he demonstrated how good he is in front of goal.

The home side avenged a 2-1 loss they suffered at the hands of the servants in the quarterfinals of the then Standard Bank Knockout Cup in 2015 at Kamuzu Stadium.

The first chance of the match fell to Diverson Mlozi who failed to connect home a Bernard Chimaimba pass with the goalkeeper Tione Tembo already beaten in the line of duty.

Moments later, Kangunje missed his closest chance in the half when he fired over the bar from one of Chimaimba’s many crosses from the left flank of the field.

At the other end, Joseph Kachule released a thunderbolt which was well taken care of by Ernest Kakhobwe in goals for the home side.

With the clock ticking, Mlozi’s goal was disallowed for offside and moments later, referee Dennis Ngulube booked Chiukepo Msowoya for assimilation just closer to Civil’s penalty box.

In the second half, Bullets enjoyed a strong opening to the game and had the first genuine threat at goal through Msowoya who fired wide off the visitors’ goal mouth.

Civil’ stubbornness finally came to an end just eight minutes into the half when Kangunje slotted past Tembo.

A long ball into the visitors’ box caught their defence napping, allowing Mlozi to race through into an open area before feeding Kangunje who made no mistake by putting the ball into the net, 1-0.

Five minutes after scoring, it was Kangunje’ second turn to let fly from outside the box, but his well-struck effort was well saved by Tembo who was in a very good position to clear the danger away from his area.

Moments later, Civil should have pulled level but Righteous Banda drifted his effort wide off the goal post to the disappointment of his coach Franco Ndawa.

Just when everyone thought Civil were out of the contest, Bullets fans were silenced.

A corner from the right flank of the field found Patrick Thupi unmarked to head past defenseless Kakhobwe into the back of the net, 1-1.

Alick Jana was then introduced for Civil while Mike Mkwate and Kondwani Kumwenda came on for Fischer Kondowe and Chimango Kayira.

However, it was the visitors who were controlling possession as Bullets midfield was in total disarray.

With less than seven minutes to play, Kangunje silenced his former club again with a brilliant volley.

A long ball from Kakhobwe was flicked by Msowoya to find Kangunje who made his way into the box before volleying past the advanced Tembo, 2-1.

Civil were not disrupted with the goal as they continued to play brilliant football and they thought they had levelled the scores with some few minutes to play but Fletcher Bandawe’s header was ruled out for offside and after 90 minutes of play, 2-1 it ended.

The result will see Bullets play Kamuzu Barracks in the round of 16.

The Soldiers were 4-2 winners over Chipiku Central Region Premier Division side Mtsiliza United.

Kelvin Hanganda scored a hat-trick with the other goal coming from Vincent Mphepo. The rookies reduced the arrears with goals from Noah Maseko and Foster Saidi.

In other matches, Mwanza Border were beaten 2-nil by Moyale Barracks at Balaka Stadium.

Deus Mkutu and Chamveka Gwetsani were on the scoresheet to inspire the Mzuzu based Soldiers who are currently enjoying their form at the moment in the domestic league.

Shock of the day was at Kalulu Stadium where Azam Tigers were knocked out of the competition by a non-super league side Cobbe Barracks.

The hosts were in front seat in the first half as Stain Pendame scored his brace before Phillip Kishombe’s double in the second half took the match to penalties.

And it was during the shoot-out where Cobbe triumphed when a Tigers player missed the decisive penalty to send the Zomba based Soldiers through with a 5-4 victory.

At Chitowe Stadium, Mzuni FC were knocked out of the cup by Dwangwa United on post-match penalties.

The regulation time ended 1-all to take the match into penalties where the home side recorded a 9-8 victory over the Green Intellectuals.

The action continues on Thursday, with Silver Strikers travelling to Chilomoni Stadium to play Polytechnic while Chitipa United will play host to Nchalo United at Mzuzu Stadium.

The last match of the day will see MDF Marine taking on Jidi FC at Mangochi Police.