Civil hammer Chitipa 4-2: Malawi TNM Super League
Civil Sporting Club Saturday utilized their home advantage and first classic display to hammer Chitipa United 4-2 in the TNM Super League played at Civo stadium in Lilongwe.
Civil had an upper hand in the first half while the visitor’s came in strongly in the second half and managed to reduce the arrears, threatened to salvage a draw though they lacked composure in the goal area.
Civil’s Raphael Phiri recorded his first hat trick of the season as the New Kids on the blog appeared disorganized in the opening half
Civil managed to get two quick corner kicks during the opening minutes of the game but they failed to capitalize on the set pieces.
Two minutes later, Chitipa United nearly took soccer fans by storm when midfielder Simon Mbewe’s weak shot went straight into the palms of Civil’s keeper Tione Tembo after receiving a fine pass from Wacheta Mwenefumbo.
Civil’s striker, Raphael Phiri wasted a golden opportunity after being put through by Fletcher Bandawe when drove his shot over the bar.
The floodgates were opened in the 12th minutes when Phiri scored the opener after beating advancing Chitipa United custodian, Lloyd Munthali.
Five minutes later, veteran midfielder Joseph Kachule doubled Civil’s lead after scoring direct from a set piece when Civil were awarded a freed when Phiri was fouled outside the penalty box by Chitipa United defender Mwango Phiri.
Civil’s hit man and man of the match Raphael Phiri claimed his second goal and a third for his team in the 24th minute when he headed home Isaac Msiska’ s corner kick.
At the dot of half time, Civil were given a penalty after Chitipa united captain handled the ball in the penalty box. The resultant spot kick was brilliant converted by Phiri to register his first hat trick.
At half time, the home team Civil was leading 4-0 and many anticipated more goals in the last half.
The second half saw, Chitipa United Coach, Kondwani Mwalweni making a tactical change.He brought in Irvin Mwakapenda and Abel Mwakilama for Mbewe and Alick Phiri respectively, the move that paid dividend at the end.
Eight minutes in this half, Chitipa United substitute Mwakilama pulled one back after a defensive lapse by Civil’s central defenders Lawrence Chaziya and John Dambuleni.
In the 67th minutes Civil’s defender Chaziya fouled Mwakilama in the box and the referee did not hesitate to point on the deadly spot. Chitipa United Khumbo Banda planted home to make it 4-2.
The goal brought in tense moments for the home side as the visitors continued to pile pressure in order to reduce the score line and salvage a draw but it never materialized.
With the win Civil Sporting are now 11 points from nine games and move to position number nine.
Chitipa United are still rooted on the bottom with 4 points from 9 games and Sunday they have a date against Blue Eagles at Nankaka ground.
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