Moyale prove superiority in Mzuzu city derby: Malawi TNM Super League
Sunday, July 23, was set by Super League Of Malawi (SULOM) for a clash of giants in the city of Mzuzu; Moyale Barracks and Mzuni FC at Mzuzu Stadium and from the word go, the battle of superiority was evident as the two teams worked very hard to get an early goal.
Barely 12 minutes into the game, a powerful header by Deus Mkutu of Moyale Barracks missed the target with a whisker.
The students replied in the 28th minute through another beautiful header by Lughindiko Mhlane which also missed the target with just a few centimeters.
Three minutes before recess, Chamveka Gwetsani’s well curved free kick from the right ended into Mzuni’s net. Referee Stephano Gomani pointed to the centre spot allowing Moyale Barracks to celebrate their goal only to discover that assistant referee Mavuto Godoya’s flag was up since it was an indirect free kick and somebody had to touch the ball first before it kissed the net. 0-0.
A minute later, a fierce attack by Moyale Barracks allowed Deus Mkutu to break through but goalkeeper Chimwemwe Kumkwawa came out in time to pluck the ball from his feet.
And 6 minutes into the second half, Mzuni’s Bob Longwe handled the ball under pressure in the 18 metre box and Stephano Gomani awarded the soldiers a vital penalty which Timothy Nyirenda beautifully converted. 1-0 to the soldiers.
The game had to stop in the 65th minute for 13 minutes as angry Mzuni fans started pelting stones at the assistant referee MacHastings Kanjati who was in front of them on the far side of the field. Police officers and stewards had to be called to duty to calm the situation as Mzuni fans kept chanting “Ref achoke! Ref achoke!”
When the match resumed, Mzuni piled pressure on the soldiers but their defence was solid enough to deny the students an equalizer. 1 nil it ended in favour of the Lions of Kaning’ina.
Speaking to Nyasa Times after the match, coach for Mzuni, Alex Ngwira, said Moyale’s penalty was the turning point of the game.
“We played well although we have lost the game but in the second half the referee was doing his job with some kind of fear because I saw Moyale Barracks officials intimidating him at half time. It’s unfortunate that our supporters caused a stoppage to the game. That also gave Moyale an advantage and as Mzuni we strongly condemn that,’’ added Ngwira.
His opposite number, Charles Kamanga, said he was happy to beat Mzuni after a good number of seasons without doing so.
“My players played very well and we could even score two or three goals. The Moyale Barracks of this season has a mission of fighting for championship up to the last day,” explained Kamanga.
The win has taken Moyale Barracks to the second position on the log table with 21 points from 11 games, seven short of league leaders Be Forward Wanderers who have played the same number of games and have 28 points.
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