Red Lions and Masters FC shared the spoils after playing out a goalless draw in an eventful FDH Premiership encounter at Zomba Stadium on Saturday, with late drama adding to a match in which both sides struggled to make their chances count.
The hosts started brightly and created early opportunities, but Masters goalkeeper Richard Chimbamba stood firm to deny Royal Bokosi before producing another important save to keep out Dan Nyambose’s close-range effort later in the first half.
Masters also threatened on the break, with Chikaiko Batison seeing his effort crash against the crossbar after being released into the box by Isaac Phiri. Precious Sambani also came close before the interval as the teams went into halftime level at 0-0.
Masters coach Peter Mponda made an early change in the 24th minute, bringing on Phillimon Ndhlovu for Phiri, before making a double substitution at halftime as Ben Manyozo and Stain Davie replaced Rafiq Namwera and Ndhlovu.
The visitors continued to create openings after the break, with Davie forcing a fumble from the Red Lions goalkeeper following a powerful effort from the edge of the box. Batison later headed Frank Sanudi’s cross into the side netting as Masters pushed for the breakthrough.
The match descended into late drama when Mponda was sent off after protesting over a delay in making a substitution. Masters had to play several minutes with 10 men after Hastings Ndau was stretched off before Vincent Mark and Damiano Kunje eventually entered the game.
Despite the chances and late controversy, neither side could find the decisive goal. Red Lions coach Malumbo Mkandawire felt his players’ decision-making let them down, saying, “It was a tough game. We had opportunities, maybe my players were rushing to make decisions.”
Masters assistant coach Victor Mphande, meanwhile, said his side could have taken all three points but was satisfied with the result given the difficulty of getting points against Red Lions at Zomba Stadium. “It was a good game. We had chances that could have helped us win this match, but all in all, we have to accept the result,” Mphande said.
The draw leaves Masters FC fifth on 22 points, while Red Lions drop to seventh on 20 points as they complete their first-round campaign.
