Moyale down Red Lions 2-0: Malawi TNM Super League
Moyale Barracks FC have intensified their hunt for maximum points to keep their TNM Super League title hopes on the boil with a 2-0 stunner over Red Lions in an all-soldiers affair at Zomba Community Centre ground on Saturday.
The soldiers from Kaning’ina in Mzuzu settled down quickly and kept the home side on rearguard action for the better part of the first half.
Man-of-the-match Clifford Fukizi was a marvel to watch when he orchestrated most of Moyale’s attacks from the midfield. However, the Lions fought hard through their leading scorer Kumbukani Mwambene but was ably contained by defenders Lameck Thinda, Lovermore Mitengo and Sandress Munthali.
Nonetheless, the Lions’ defending was awful and cost them the first goal of the match.
In the 67th minute, a high ball inside the goal area was flicked on by Gastin Simukonda. It then eventually fell
invitingly on the feet of unmarked Chamveka Gwetsani who slotted it past a hapless Jacob Kaunda in goals.
Mwambene could have leveled the scores a few minutes later but hesitated to shoot at goal with the goalmouth at his mercy. Moyale captain Lovemore Mitengo cleared the danger for his side.
The Zomba soldiers’ hopes were dampened further when Moyale’s lethal striker Gastin Simukonda provided the final flourish with a clinical finish from close range. Again, Red Lions’ defenders were caught napping inside the goal area.
In a post-match interview, Moyale Barracks coach Nicholas Mhango was on cloud nine with the win.
“Talk of excitement, I am very happy that we have collected maximum points from this game. It had been tough but
at long last we are somewhere on the league table which is good on our side. We hope to retrun to Mzuzu with six points on Sunday when we play Envirom FC although we are not underrating them.”
On his part, Red Lions team manager Alexander Saka had no kind words for the officiation.
“We have been hit behind the back by the referees’ committee. All along we knew that Denis Ngulube would
officiate this match only to see Blantyre-based referees taking over to our surprise. They have been unprofessional and we are bitter with this kind of management,” fumed Saka
Moyale move to fourth and now have 44 points from 26 games played so far whereas Red Lions remain with 41 points from the same number of games.
