Coach Kaunda finds humor in Karonga’s Airtel Top 8 semifinal exit

Karonga United’s journey in the Airtel Top 8 Season 8 came to a disappointing end after a 1-2 defeat to defending champions FCB Nyasa Big Bullets. The semifinal clash, held under the floodlights of Bingu National Stadium on Saturday, June 21, saw the northern region side exit the tournament despite a spirited effort.

Head coach Oscar “Tindic” Kaunda, while accepting the loss, was quick to praise his team’s fighting spirit. “It was a good game. I should congratulate our opponent; they have done well, and we wish them well,” Kaunda stated. “Thanks to my players for a good performance. They are still young, they are coming up, and in other games, they will do better.”

MORE NEWS FROM WAMPIRA

Bullets edge spirited Karonga to reach 6th Airtel Top 8 final

“Ready under the lights” Oscar Kaunda dismisses pre-match alibis

Before the match, concerns had emerged from the Karonga United camp regarding their unfamiliarity with playing under lights. The club even made a formal request to the Football Association of Malawi (FAM) for three days of training at Bingu Stadium to acclimatize their players. “We will need three days to train at Bingu National Stadium during night so that our players get used to playing under the lights. They are yet to play during night,” Karonga United’s General Secretary, Ramsey Simwaka, told Timveni Online.

However, Kaunda largely downplayed the issue, attributing any concerns to the administration rather than his players or technical staff. “Our technical side and players had no problem playing under the floodlights. We learn, and we get experience through these situations,” he affirmed.

In fact, Kaunda took a light-hearted approach during the post-match press conference, humorously dismissing the idea that the unfamiliar night setting contributed to their defeat.

“The floodlights cannot be an excuse. We are already used to night lights—we go into bars,” he quipped with a laugh.

“We never complained about that. In bars, we are able to differentiate—this is green, this is stout; this girl is wearing too much make-up, I don’t have to go for this one—so there was no problem with us.”

The loss was particularly painful for Karonga given their resilience. After falling behind to a Chikumbutso Salima header in the 26th minute, skillfully set up by Peter Banda, substitute Robert Luhanga leveled the score in the 53rd minute. Luhanga’s equalizer came from a well-delivered free-kick by former Bullets forward Patrick Phiri, igniting hopes for Karonga.

However, Hassan Kajoke dashed those hopes in the 64th minute. Set up by fellow substitute Chawananga Gumbo, Kajoke calmly restored Bullets’ lead, sealing their 2-1 victory and confirming their spot in the final.

Karonga United had come agonizingly close to lifting the Airtel Top 8 trophy in 2019, only to be denied by a lone strike from Khuda Muyaba, then with Silver Strikers, in the final. This latest defeat marks another chapter in their quest for top-tier silverware.