……MAFCO 0-0 KAMUZU BARRACKS
By Edwin Mbewe
LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-The Soldiers from the Malawi Armed Forces College (MAFCO) and the Malawi Defence Force Headquarters Kamuzu Barracks FC on Sunday, October 1, 2023, failed to locate each other in the field of play at Dedza Stadium in the first leg of Airtel Top 8 quarterfinal.
The two Military Forces despite creating chances, ended up missing the targets as their magazines were loaded with blank ammunition.
MAFCO FC and Kamuzu Barracks FC had all battalions in the battle, for the home team from Salima relied on Peter Kasonga and Stain Malata to lead them as an assault group.
In the engine room, Prichard Mwansa the head of instructors at MAFCO FC depended on Blessings Phiri, Dan Chimbalanga, Yohane Malunga, Gift Soko, and Wakisa Kalinga while prominent defender who also saved the team by scoring important goals of recent Paul Ndlovu led the defence but on Sunday all his efforts went in vain.
Leading the headquarters’ yellow Brigade Ted Kalinda trusted the man of the moment Olson Kanjira, Zeliat Nkhoma, and Chimwemwe Chisambi in the attack but still could not find the precious goals that could put them an advantage in the reverse fixture.
After failing to locate each other in the battle as they ran out of Airtel Internet bundles at Dedza Stadium, MAFCO FC head Coach Pritchard Mwansa acknowledged they did not play their planned game.
“We did not plan for a draw. We only created two chances in the first half hence we have to work on our weaknesses before the reverse fixture”, said Mwansa.
His counterpart Assistant Coach for Kamuzu Barracks FC Ted Kalinda said the 0-0 result was a fair and true reflection of the game as his side didn’t come for the party on Sunday afternoon.
“We have to work on our finishing as we created some chances but my boys lacked composure and marksmanship. We are upbeat to do well in the return leg at home” Kalinda said.
So far three quarterfinal games of the 6th edition of Airtel Top8 have produced 4 goals. Moyale Barracks FC and Blue Eagles FC produced 2 goals in a game which saw the two sides sharing spoils 1-1.
The other two goals were registered between the record winner Silver Strikers FC and the reigning champions Mighty Mukuru Wanderers FC as per determination by FAM after the Nomads abandoned the game at Bingu National Stadium due to poor officiation.
