Ekwendeni Hammers have become the first team to qualify for the Castel Challenge Cup quarter-finals after beating Dedza Dynamos Salima Sugar 6-5 in post-match penalties at Dedza Stadium.
The visitors had to come from behind as Chisomo Sambani cancelled Christopher Phiri’s 17th minute goal in the 65th minute.
The home side enjoyed possession for a good chunk of the match.
In the 14th minute, a nice play from the home side saw Edward Dakalira playing in Khumbo Banda whose cross picked marksman Clement Nyondo but his chip was brilliantly saved by Ekwendeni goalkeeper Innocent Kamwambi.
The hosts’ barrage of attack yielded results in the 17th minute when they won a penalty.
A high ball from Lughano Kayira to Alex Benson forced Ekwendeni’s Chisomo Sambani to cut him down in the box.
Phiri stepped up to take the spot kick and converted.
Ekwendeni were denied an equaliser in the 28th minute when Blessings Singini played Wongani Lungu but his shot was saved.
The first-half ended with Ekwendeni piling pressure on the Dedza but the hosts managed to hold on to the lead.
However, the visitors went on to level in the 65th minute.
Dedza’s Donnex Mwakasinga handled the ball out side the box and Blessings Singini’s set piece picked Chisomo Sambani to head home the equaliser.
The two sides sweated for a winner but their efforts yielded no fruits and the match had to be settled through post match penalties.
Ekwendeni converted their spot kicks through Singini, Brian Phiri, Isaiah Nyirenda, Chisomo Sambani, Yasin Rashid and Chikumbutso Henderson while Jimmy Msiska missed.
Dedza converted theirs through Christopher Phiri, Edward Dakalira, Clement Nyondo and Ochaya Okot Otim while Khumbo Banda and Limbani Phiri’s spot kicks were saved by Ekwendeni keeper Innocent Kamwambi.
