Karonga based Chicago FC are the Champions of this year’s First Capital Bank (FCB) after beating factory Fc of Nkhotakota 2-0 in the final at Mpira Stadium.
The match started on a slow pace as both teams struggled to cope up with the artificial turf and used secondary balls.
After 10 minutes of play, the Karonga based side settled well and created a lot of scoring opportunities.
The high pressing football finally paid off in the 16th minute when star striker Bongani Munthali found the back of the net.
After conceding a goal Factory fc started getting the momentum as the created chances to find the equalizer but lacked some firepower and clinical finishing which made them to trail by a goal to nil in the first half.
In the second half, Chicago started the match on the flyer as Ernest Mwemtete doubled their lead to make it 2-0.
The Nkhotakota based side pressed for the equalizing goals, but Chicago defense was very solid and protected their 2-goal lead and crowned Champions of FCB U-20 National finals.
Speaking after their victory, Chicago Fc Coach, Diego Nkhonya, said he was very happy to achieve his dream of winning the national championship.
“I am very happy for the victory; it was our dream to win this national championship and I thank my boys for their good performance”
“I know it’s hard to defend this title but next season we will continue from where we have stopped. We have more talent in our squid and we will try all our best to maintain this squid,” said Nkhonya.
On his part, Factory Fc Coach Innocent Chirwa said his boys tried all they could to win it but it was a tough match as both teams were well prepared.
“It was not our plan to finish on the second position, we were hoping to be the champions but after the 90 minutes we have failed to achieve that.
“My boys tried all of their best to win but I must say Chicago Fc prepared well and it was a tough match it wasn’t easy for any team to be the champions,”
Nkhonya also attributed the defeat to the poor organization from the sponsors and the organizers of the cup.
“Organizers of First capital Bank National league need to be well prepared when organizing these events, you can see today we had only 12 jerseys for the whole team and this made us to delay when making substations as players were exchanging the same kit. Next time the organizers need to be alert and consider these things,” said Chirwa.
To play in the final, Chicago booted out hosts Manchester Motor Spares 5-4 on post-match penalties after a goalless draw in the semi-finals while Factory eliminated Galaxy FC of Mangochi with a 1-0 beating.
