Civil Service United became the latest elite league side to march into the quarter-finals of the FDH Bank Cup after claiming a 1-0 victory over second-tier side Red Lions at Balaka Stadium on Sunday afternoon while Mchinji Villa sent Chatoloma Admarc parking.
Civil Service are through to quarters
After a goalless first half, Civil Service found themselves ahead in the 55th minute when Chikaiko Batson finished off Righteous Banda’s well-taken free kick. The victory came despite finishing the match with ten men after Yankho Biliati was sent off for a foul on Royal Bokosi in the 64th minute.
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Civil Service head coach Abbas Makawa attributed his team’s slow start to poor officiating and rough play from their opponents, but praised the improvement in the second half.
“It was a tough game as our opponents also came to win, but we fought hard,” Makawa said. “In the first half we struggled because our opponents were playing a rough game – we even saw players exchanging blows. But the second half was better, the officiating also improved, and that’s when we got our goal.”
Red Lions coach Malumbo Mkandawire accepted the defeat graciously, attributing the loss to his team’s failure to convert their chances.
“We have accepted the loss. It was a good game where we played well and created many chances, but we failed to score. Our opponents had only one chance, which they converted,” he said.
Mchinji Villa vs Chatoloma: Six-Goal Thriller
In the day’s other fixture, Mchinji Villa reached the last eight after defeating 10-man Chatoloma ADMARC 4-2 in a thrilling encounter at Mchinji Community Ground.
The visitors drew first blood when Henry Kaunda found the net in the 16th minute, but Villa’s response was swift. Just two minutes later, Kelvin Mustafa pulled the hosts level with a well-taken equalizer. The match took another turn when Chatoloma’s Tymon Nyirenda received his marching orders, leaving his team to battle with ten men.
Villa capitalized on their numerical advantage right before the break, with Davie Jowao scoring his fourth goal of the tournament in the first minute of added time to give the hosts a 2-1 halftime lead.
Chatoloma showed tremendous fighting spirit in the second half, drawing level on the hour mark when Patrick Martin stepped up to convert from the penalty spot. However, their resistance was finally broken when Mustafa took center stage with two goals in quick succession, netting in the 76th and 77th minutes to complete his hat-trick and seal Villa’s progression.
Mchinji Villa head coach Joseph Kamwendo acknowledged his team’s slow start but praised their second-half performance.
“Our players underestimated Chatoloma because they play in a lower league, but in the second half we came stronger and took the chances we created. I’m happy we’ve progressed to the next round,” Kamwendo said.
Chatoloma ADMARC head coach Hellings Malunje was critical of his team’s preparation and internal issues.
“We went to Karonga where we performed well because we prepared properly, but for this game we failed to prepare adequately. The officials are busy fighting for positions and firing each other – this is very bad. Today we played well despite being a man down, and I’m glad I can speak about this to the media,” Malunje said.
Civil Service United and Mchinji Villa join Silver Strikers, Mighty Wanderers, Blue Eagles, FCB Nyasa Big Bullets, and Creck Sporting Club in the quarter-finals of the competition.
One place remains to complete the quarter-final lineup, after which the Football Association of Malawi will conduct the draw for the quarter-finals and semi-finals.
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