Moyale Barracks Triumph Over Mafana Mafana, Advance to Round of 32 in Castel Challenge Cup
The Castel Challenge Cup, sponsored by Castel Malawi with a generous sum of K320 million per season, continues to deliver thrilling moments in Malawi's football scene.
RUMPHI, Malawi – In an impressive display, Moyale Barracks secured a place in the Round of 32 of the Castel Challenge Cup by defeating non-league team Mafana Mafana with an astonishing scoreline of six goals to nil at Rumphi Stadium on Wednesday, writes Victor Musongole.
Mafana Mafana, the Chitipa District champions, struggled to assert themselves in the game from the very beginning.
Moyale Barracks took the lead, and it was only a matter of time before Raphael Phiri scored at the 7-minute mark after a corner kick from the left side played by Ntopijo Njewa.
Prince Phiri added another goal by connecting with a corner kick delivered by Lovemore Jere, and the visitors' defense failed to mark them. The scoreline remained unchanged as the teams entered halftime.
Gasten Simkonda, who was substituted in, made a remarkable run, evading three defenders, and scored at the 69-minute mark.
Clifford Fukizi extended the lead to four goals with a header after connecting with Boniface Chuma's corner kick, as the defenders failed to clear the ball.
Mphatso Kasonga joined the scoreboard at 87 minutes, skillfully beating the goalkeeper after receiving an excellent assist from Simkonda. Gastin Simkonda sealed the win with his second goal at the 90-minute mark.
Assistant coach Crispin Fukizi, after the game, emphasized that the team had worked on its defense to avoid conceding goals, and they are aiming to make a strong impression in the cup.
"We worked on our defense because we've been conceding a lot lately. Keeping a clean sheet today demonstrates that we improved. We urged our players to give their best, and they didn't underestimate their opponents," Fukizi explained.
Mafana Mafana's coach, Kondwani Simbeye, admitted defeat and attributed it to his players showing too much respect for Moyale.
He acknowledged that his tactical approach did not work as intended but saw it as a learning opportunity for his team's future participation in district leagues.
With this victory, Moyale Barracks is set to face Simso Innobuild's Iponga FC in the Round of 32, a repeat of the FDH Cup match in the same stage.
The last match in the Round of 32 will feature Chitipa United and the Likoma-based Red Devils.
The Castel Challenge Cup, sponsored by Castel Malawi with a generous sum of K320 million per season, continues to deliver thrilling moments in Malawi's football scene.