Be Forward Wanderers ensured there would be no second Fisd Cup final in a row for Moyale Barracks with a 2-1 semifinal victory at Bingu National Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
The Mzuzu based soldiers started brightly when they took the lead just 7 minutes after kick off through Deus Mkutu who notched home from a Sandress Munthali cross from the right flank.
However, their celebration only lasted for less than 2 minutes as the Lali Lubani boys leveled the scoreline through Bongani Kaipa who headed home from a Mike Kaziputa’s cross to beat Simeon Harawa in goals for last year’s runners up.
It was an entertaining packed action, with both teams trying to score goals but both goalkeepers produced superb performances to keep their teams intact.
Gastin Simkonda almost restored Moyale Barracks’ lead soon after Wanderers’ leveller but the lethal forward hit the side netting to disappoint Charles Kamanga on the technical panel area.
At the other end, Zicco Mkanda was found unmarked inside Moyale’s half only to slide his effort just inches away from Harawa’s goal.
In the second half, both teams continued from where they stopped in the first half, playing an entertaining football worth the spectators’ attention.
It was end-to-end from the beginning, and Mkanda then warmed the palms of Harawa as he spilled the ball into the path of Esau Kanyenda who could not adjust his body in time to turn home the rebound.
Wanderers had an excellent chance to double their tally when Yamikani Chester made a brilliant run to find Kanyenda whose effort was blocked, but from the rebound, he had a clear sight of goal and blazed over from 12 yards.
At the other end, Munthali went on a mazy run that ended with a shot that shaved the crossbar, before Crispin Fukizi collected the ball at the back post from a corner, but curled his effort wide.
Wanderers then introduced Joseph Kamwendo and Peter Wadabwa for Kanyenda and Simeon Singa while Lessman Singini and Brown Maganga came in for Fukizi and Gift Nyando.
Referee Easter Zimba awarded Wanderers a free kick on a very promising position but Kamwendo stepped in and drafted his effort over the cross bar.
Minutes later, Mkanda came close to scoring when his effort came off the woodwork following an individual brilliance from Chester who dribbled past Lovemore Jere and Alisten Black before sending a low cross drive into the box.
The goal that Wanderers had been waiting for arrived on 86 minutes.
Jere fouled Wadabwa outside the penalty box, leaving Zimba with no choice but to award the Nomads a free kick.
Kamwendo stepped in and curved his effort past Harawa before hitting the upright into the net to send the whole stadium into a frenzy, 2-1.
From that moment on, it was mostly Wanderers on the attack and they almost scored their third on the day when Wadabwa was found in the box only to hit the side-netting.
Moyale Barracks tried their level best to force something out of the game but Wanderers stood firm to reach their second Fisd cup final in three years.
The Nomads will await for the winner between Silver Strikers and Nyasa Big Bullets on Sunday at the same venue.
The winner for the competition will walk away with K16 million.
