Wizards sink Red Lions

Patrick Phiri’s second half volley was enough to earn Wizards three points in their first Super League match at Kamuzu stadium on Monday afternoon.

Red Lions were coming from a 2-1 defeat at the hands of Nyasa Big Bullets last Sunday at Balaka stadium but it was Wizards’ first match since returning to the top flight league.

The match started on an impressive note as Wizards were playing good passing football that was troubling the Red Lions defence.

The first half was heavily dominated by Peter Mponda’s side as Telekeleni Joseph, Isaac Mwale, Franklin Mulimanjira and Phiri were exchanging excellent passes in the midfield and completely demolished the Lions midfield.

As the first half was going towards the end, Alekeleni Joseph had a chance to break the deadlock through a free kick but his shot went straight into the palms of Red Lions goal minder Jacob Kaunda and the first half ended in a goalless.

Wizards started the second half strongly and they could have taken the lead in as early as the first minute of the second half when Phiri was well set but he missed the goal mouth with a few inches.

A minute later Phiri was at it again and this time he beat the Red Lions goal minder with a well driven in volley after he had received a through ball from Travor Kalema.

After that goal, Peter Mponda’s side still looked dangerously on the attack as they were in search for more goals but they failed as the soldiers defended well.

Blessing Phiri could have doubled Wizards lead in the 74th minutes but he was denied by the cross bar.

The hosts continued to threaten and they could have doubled their lead through Bernard Chimaimba and Franklin Mulimanjira but they all failed to hit the back of the net on several occasions.

The soldier’s most threatening chance of the match came in added time when their striker connected well a corner but it was cleared on the line by the Wizards defenders.

The game ended 1 nil in favour of Wizards and this is the second loss for the Zomba based soldiers in a row.

After the match, Peter Mponda thanked his boys for the victory and said that he was happy with the way his team played.

His counterparts did not grant the media an interview and only said ‘Ask the referee’.