St. Gabriel Zitha Football Club beat Kawinga FC on Wednesday afternoon at Nankhaka stadium to progress into the national phase of the 2023 Castel Challenge Cup.
The tie was level at 1-1 after 90 minutes after Arnold Kiyama equalized for the hosts to cancel out Mathews Thindwa’s opener.
And Mathews Hamuza scored the winning penalty for St. Gabriel Zitha in the shootout.
Thindwa gave Namitete side a sixth minute lead by heading home after being found by Thomas Manyowa’s cross.
The goal forced Kawinga FC to make early changes as Harry Saidi introduced Dalitso Nahipa and Arnold Son Kiyama for Billy Msakwiza and William M’bwemba just after 10 minutes of play.
The changes made eminent impact as Kawinga FC responded well and scored a deserved 16th minute equalizer.
Kiyama received the in the right wing and he dribbled past Jafali Mpelera before pulling a right footer trigger, beating Moffat Limunga in goals for St. Gabriel Medicals Zitha.
Rahim Mtondera produced a fine save to deny Harvey Nasiyaya mid inside second half but he failed to save Kawinga FC in the shootout, while St. Gabriel Zitha’s Monti Gomani headed wide inside the six yard when he received the ball from Jafali Mpelera’s freekick.
St. Gabriel Zitha’s keeper Moffat Limunga denied Thoko Phiri with a save in shootout while Nasiyaya hit the post. Only Imran Awali and Jauma Edward managed to beat Limunga.
Jafalie Mpelera, Maxwell Mangwere, Maffat Limunga and Mathews Hamuza scored their penalties for the vistors but Posiano Samu was the only one who missed.
“we failed to beat them in the first half because we squandered a lot of chances, we scored first but we allowed them to pull level and in the second half it was very balanced until full time where we relied on penalties but iam very happy that we progressed into the national phase” said Martin Mthetho Mkamanga, coach for St. Gabriel Medicals Zitha FC.
His counterpart Harry Saidi said “That’s what happens to Cup games, there’s only one winners so we have lost and accepted the defeat”
In another match, Silver Strikers reserves beat Ngolowindo FC 2-0 at Champion Stadium courtesy of goals from Madalitso Maso and Imran Kaukau.
However, despite the victory, the Young Bankers will not proceed to the national phase as per new Football Association of Malawi mandate that prohibits reserve teams to play national trophies.
