Epac beat Wizards 1-0: Malawi TNM Super League
A brilliant first-half goal through a penalty from Anthony Banda was enough for Epac FC to secure maximum points against Wizards FC in the TNM Super League on Saturday in front of a record crowd at Kamuzu Stadium in Blantyre.
The home team, which had 90 per cent of scoring opportunities, have themselves to blame, as they failed to equalize towards the end of the game after being awarded a penalty. Epac goalkeeper saved the penalty.
Epac was a better side in the first 45 minutes, as they piled up pressure to the home team but their finishing was blunt.
For instance, a cross from Lanken Mwale found Banda at the far post, but he failed to direct it at goal.
The visitors were at it again when Banda managed to sneak through a forest of four Wizards defenders but his shot went wide.
In the 30th minute, Wizards appeared to be belatedly waking up – Benard Chimayimba makes a driving run into the box, cuts onto his left foot and shoots before it was blocked, and it went just wide.
Last chance for Wizards before recess time came in the 44th minute when – Jimmy Chikulekule crosses over from the left, but it goes nowhere near the forwards in the box and goes straight through to the keeper. a minute of stoppage time to come.
Come second half, Wizards was a better side but their flowery football was not enough for them to secure a goal.
For instance, the Peter Mponda boys tried to get into the area from the right side , but they were taken out fairly cynically by Epac …a challenge that was bafflingly left unpunished.
Another episode in the Benard Chimayimba and Lanken Mwale files: this time it’s the Wizards striker who gets forwards, and Mwale hacks him to the ground with little subtlety. No card was shown.
Unlucky Wizards attacked again in the 79th minute down the right with Chimayimba, who twists and turns and evades Epac defence , but his shot was blocked, and a belated attempt at a pass goes astray.
Another huge chance for Wizards came in the 95th minute when they slides an inch-perfect ball through for Chimayimba, who took a heavy second touch then scuffs a shot which was too weak to pass Epac keeper. They genuinely could/should be four or five up.
In post match interviews, Wizards Coach Peter Mponda said it was another bad day in office but insisted his players were too shy to shoot on goal, while Epac coach Audrey Makonyola praised his charges for their victory.
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