Epac add to Escom woes, Eagles beat Silver
It doesn’t rain but pours for Silver Strikers, who were hammered by a ten men Blue Eagles on Sunday in the elite TNM Super League at Nankhaka Stadium in a Lilongwe derby and defending champions Escom poor run of title defence hit a new low with a draw against Epac United.
The Bankers, who were beaten 2-1 the previous day by Civo United in the Standard Bank Cup lost 2-0 to the Cops of Area 30.
The Cops netted their first goal barely two minutes into the game through a well taken free kick courtesy of Innocent Bokosi before Patrick Masanjala nailed the last nail on the Bankers coffin.
Masanjala scored on the spot kick after John Banda was brought down by Silver defender Mabvuto Khodzomba in the 18 yard box.
However, the Bankers failed to tick even with Blue Eagles playing with ten men when Bokosi was shown marching orders.
Blue Eagles coach Derek Nsakakuwona praised God for the outcome of the game.
“Both teams came with an intention to collect three points but God smiled at us. This is a warning to other Super League sides that we are back in town,” he said.
Silver’s coach Dan Dzinkambani conceded defeat: “It was a difficult game but it is not all doom and gloom.”
At Kamuzu Stadium in Blantyre Escom United gave away a 1-0 lead to Epac FC.
The electricians, who failed to command the game, scored first through Noel ‘Amfumu’ Mkandawire before Epac equalized in the second half through top goal scorer Ishmael Thindwa.
Escom, who have not won any match in four consecutive games failed even to score the winning goal after Epac were reduced to ten men.
Epac’s goalkeeper Jailosi Kapalamula was shown a red card after a bad tackle on Mayamiko Salamu.
With the help of Big Bullets and Mighty Wanderers vocal ‘ganyu’ supporters Epac enjoyed most of the ball possession that they nearly switched off the light in Blantyre if it was not Thindwa, who missed a scoring opportunity with a whisker.
Escom United Coach Charles Manda was frustrated with the result and conceded that his boys need to pull up their socks.
“Things are not well for us and we need to jack up. It is more frustrating that we failed to win with our colleagues reduced to ten men, “said Manda.
Epac United mentor Abasi Makawa was delighted with the fighting spirit of his boys.
“I told my boys not to get frustrated with that red card because we have seen teams winning while they are down with ten men. I am also happy with my boys because we have managed to collect four points out of six this weekend, “said Makawa, whose side also won 1-0 to Blantyre United on Saturday.
In Nkhota-kota, Big Bullets gave away a 1-0 lead to Mafco in a physical game played at Chitowe Stadium.
The People teams were first to hit the back of the net through their wonder boy Henry ‘Magetsi’ Kabichi before Morris Chiumia equalized for the Salima based soldiers.
However, both sides finished the game with few players as marching orders were shown to Peter Mpulula for Bullets, Saidi Mtekama and another Mafco player.
Big Bullets Coach Eding’ton Ng’onamo accused the referee for favouring Mafco.
“They denied us three clear penalties after Mafco players handled the ball in the 18 yard box. Our friends also played a physical game,” he said, while his counterpart Temwa Msuku was over the moon for the result.
In Balaka there was a goal drought in match involving Mighty Wanderers and Red Lions.
Mighty Wanderers team manager Mac Hodges Chunga blamed the officiating personnel’s for being harsh on them.
“We were penalized by the referee otherwise we dominated the whole game,” said Chunga, while Collins Nkuna for Red Lions said it was a fair game.
The game between Moyale Barracks and Azam Tigers was called off after a heavy downfall.
TNM Super League Results: Saturday
-Blantyre United 0 vs Epac FC 1 @ Balaka
Sunday
-Blue Eagles 2 vs Silver Strikers 0@ Nankhaka
-Mighty Wanderers 0 vs Red Lions 0 @ Balaka
-Mafco 0 vs Big Bullets 0 @ Chitowe
-Escom 1 vs Epac FC 1 @Kamuzu
Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV :