Civo’s ‘Sir’ Alex Masanjala salutes Red Lions
Having watched his charges fall prey to Zomba based Red Lions for the second time this season, Civo United veteran coach Alex Masanjala has lavished praise on the roaring lions, describing them as a much stronger side than before.
The Lions defeated Civo United 2-0 in a TNM Super League affair at Civo Stadium in the capital city to move second on the league’s log table.
This is the second time within a month the civil servants have played second fiddle to the soldiers after losing to the same team by the same margin at the same venue in the Presidential Cup.
Unlike in the Presidential Cup, when Red Lions just needed the first 45 minutes to bury their hosts, the soldiers struck in each half to bag the maximum points and displace the servants from the second position.
Kelvin Katema headed in the first goal in the 22nd minute after a cross from Boniface Kaulesi before Dan Katunga claimed the second ten minutes into the second half after a lapse in Civo’s central defence.
Civo had a number of opportunities to scare the Lions especially in the game’s opening moments but their strikers Martin Masoatheka and Welani Nyirenda were not sharp enough to convert the chances into goals.
Lilongwe based referee Arnold Maseko did not help matters for the hosts, when he failed to blow for a penalty towards the break after Lions goalkeeper Brighton Ngwenyama had dived on Masoatheka’s foot, when the youngster was about to score after beating the Lions defence
and the goalkeeper. With the lad sprawling on the ground, Maseko waved play on to the displeasure of Civo followers.
Commenting after the game, Civo’s veteran coach Alex Masanjala was full of praise for Red Lions, describing them as a much stronger side to compared to the Red Lions’ squad of last season:.
“Although they played a physical game, they made some good touches and are a much
stronger side than they were before,” said Masanjala after the whistle.
Lions’ coach Collins Nkuna said he was pleased that his side had maintained its unbeaten record: “We knew that Civo would come with a spirit to revenge the previous loss and I told the boys not to be carried away by the previous win but concentrate on the job at hand. I am happy they followed the instructions and we have got the three points.”
Red Lions moved from third to second position with 24 points from 10 games. Civo have gone down to third with 22 points from 13 games.
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