Wanderers Advance to Airtel Top 8 Semis on Penalty Shootout
Wanderers will face Silver Strikers in the semifinals. Silver defeated Premier Bet Dedza Dynamos 6-2 on aggregate in their quarterfinal matchup.
BLANTYRE, Malawi— Mighty Mukuru Wanderers secured a spot in the Airtel Top 8 Zamadolo semifinals, edging out Bangwe All Stars 4-2 on penalties after a tightly contested match at Mpira Stadium on Saturday, writes Happy Valirani.
The aggregate score stood at 1-1 following Bangwe's 1-0 win in the return leg, which nullified Wanderers' identical advantage from the first leg two weeks ago.
Bangwe's Temitope Ojeyinka Ebenezer broke the deadlock in the 60th minute, converting Richard Lapson's free-kick to level the aggregate score and force penalties.
Wanderers goalkeeper William Thole, named man of the match, saved two penalties from Felix Demakude and Ebenezer.
Thole also converted his spot-kick.
Isaac Kaliati, Sama Thierry Tanjong and Wisdom Mpinganjira scored the other penalties for the Wanderers. Innocent Msowoya and Clever Chikwata converted for Bangwe.
Wanderers coach Meke Mwase said, "It was a tough game. We congratulate the boys for working very hard, and we're happy to be in the semifinals. We're going to prepare very well for the semifinal match."
Bangwe coach Trevor Kajawa acknowledged the defeat, saying, "We won in the 90 minutes, and the game came to penalties. Penalties are a lottery, and luck wasn't on our side. Congratulations to the Mighty Mukuru Wanderers for winning through the penalties."
Wanderers will face Silver Strikers in the semifinals. Silver defeated Premier Bet Dedza Dynamos 6-2 on aggregate in their quarterfinal matchup.