Abbas Makawa has finally done it. He bagged his first major piece of silverware at the expense of Be Forward Wanderers who went into the Carlsberg Cup final as favorites.
After regulation time, it looked like Masters Security were heading for fate in shootout against Wanderers who, when it comes to winning cup matches through penalties, are experts.
For Makawa, this win was historical given that he only took charge of Masters Security over a year ago and struggled in his first season before surviving relegation in dramatic fashion.
His team dominated the game soon after conceding in the first minute and had to get something out of it, but it is the persistence and motivation to keep going that should be lauded.
While the game ended 1-all after 90 minutes of football at Kamuzu Stadium, it is worth noting that Masters outplayed Wanderers and kept pressing for the goals throughout.
Tactically, they were the better team and they suffocated both Alfred Manyozo Jnr and Joseph Kamwendo in midfield, and this made it almost impossible for Wanderers to play.
Defensively, both teams were solid and they should be applauded even though the fans in Blantyre wanted to see the winner in the normal regulation time.
This made it difficult for the attackers from both sides to penetrate, but Masters Security did their homework, and they knew how they would beat Wanderers, who looked relaxed and confident of winning the trophy for fourth time, having missed the opportunity last season when they got beaten by rivals Nyasa Big Bullets.
It was evident when Wanderers technical panel substituted Joseph Kamwendo for Rafick Namwera but little did they knew that penalties were fast approaching as Masters Security leveled the scoreline with five minutes to play.
For the Nomads, it was dancing time forgetting that Bullets were ousted from the same competition in a similar fashion despite taking a lead.
But Bester Phiri, formerly of Wanderers, had other ideas, and the fact that he singlehandedly ousted Mzuni FC, MAFCO FC and Bullets on penalties, should have been a warning sign for the Lali Lubani boys in this regard.
Perhaps, Bob Mpinganjira should have left Kamwendo on the pitch as he is fond of scoring the winning penalty for the Nomads.
Masters Security’s victory is a good example of how important it is to be patient.
The Lilongwe based side, despite surviving relegation scare last season, defied all odds by joining the CAF Confederations Cup and the lessons that were learnt in their two games, are now rewarding them.
Apart from the cup, the team is also currently doing well in the TNM Super League with 32 points from 24 games and they are targeting a top eight finish.
Beating Bullets in the semifinals was a strong warning to the Nomads who were at ease, declaring Kamuzu Stadium a no go zone area for visiting teams.
Masters Security’s success should go a long way in motivating smaller teams, who undermine themselves despite having plenty of talent in their squads.
As for Wanderers, they have to do a thorough analysis on why they have lost three cup finals within 12 months.
Deemed as cup specialists, the Blantyre based giants lost to Silver Strikers in the Airtel Top 8 final before losing to Bullets in the Carlsberg Cup final though penalties and months later, another cup gone and this time around, to rookies who were not favorites.
