..MAFCO wins again
Stain Pendame scored in the dying minutes of the second half to hand Azam Tigers a hard fought 1-nil victory over Kamuzu Barracks in a Super League match played at Kamuzu Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
Coming straight from their 2-1 defeat to Dwangwa United last week, Tigers were more organized as they played with confidence through their play maker Yamikani Chester. The visiting Soldiers had some clear cut chances in the opening minutes of the match but Manaseh Chiyesa was too wastefull in front of goals.
Kamuzu Barracks had their closest chance through Chiyesa who should have put the ball into the back of the net following a mistake by William Thole in goals for Tigers but the former Escom United forward fired wide off the goal mouth.
At the other end, Eliya Munthali dribbled past three KB defenders but was selfish not to release Bright Munthali who was in a very good position to shoot. Chester had a shot well cleared before another miss from misfiring Munthali to the disbelief of the home fans.
At the satrt of the other half, both sides made some changes, with Tigers bringing in Alex Mkolongo for Dan Kumwenda whilst Zinjani Yona came in for Wonder Timeyo.
Tigers created their first chance into the half through Munthali who fired straight at Leman Nthala in goals for the visitors. The hosts had another chance through Pendame whose low drive was easily saved by Nthala. Yona then tussled with Tigers defence but his weaker shot missed the goal mouth with some inches.
Minutes later, Thole rescued Tigers when he cleared a lose ball from Dave Banda’s cross deep inside the hosts’ half.
At the other end, Munthali shook his head in disbelief when his powerful header was well cleared by Nthala who produced a stunning save when everybody else thought the ball was into the net.
However, with three minutes to go, Kau Kau boys roared. A brilliant move by Chester torn apart Barracks’ defence before releasing a shot that was well saved by Nthala only to land in the path of unmarked Pendame who made no mistake but to put the ball into the back of the net, 1-0.
The goal revamped Tigers who almost doubled the lead through Munthali but volleyed over the bar when the goalkeeper was already beaten and after the end of the match, it ended 1-nil in favor of Tigers.
“I am very excited with the result considering that we are coming from that painful defeat last week.”
“We are aiming to do well in this season and we will try our level best to record victories in the 2016 season,” said Tigers coach Gerald Phiri. His opposite number Billy Phambala hailed Tigers for collecting the much needed points but was quick to reassure his fans that he will not leave Zomba without points. “We have lost to a good side but I am very optimistic that we will collect something out of tommorrow’s game against Red Lions.”
“I have assembled a good squad which is angry for success and I am very sure that we will do well in this season despite this defeat,” said Phambala.
The result sees Tigers climbing up to Sixth on the table with 14 points from 8 games. As for KB, they are now Seventh in the standings with 13 points fron 9 games.
At Chitowe Stadium, Richard Mbulu scored in the second half to inspire Mafco FC to a hard fought 1-nil victory over fellow Soldiers Moyale Barracks to move up to third in the standings with 17 points.
It was a match dominated by the host but Moyale Barracks had Juma Chikwenga to thanks for producing some stunning saves especially in the first half.
But his heroics were cut shot when Mbulu scored to send his fans into massive celebrations.
Blue Eagles are topping the standings with 21 points from 9 games seconded by Silver Strikers with 19 points from the same number of games.
Mbola iii
Ana Amumpanda ndakunyadiran