Karonga Utd hammer Epac 4-2 as Civo lose at Chitowe

Karonga United FC rekindled their hopes of survival in the TNM Super League, when they slaughtered Epac 4-2 in a game played at a water logged Civo Stadium in Lilongwe on Saturday, December 17, 2016.

This was a third straight home defeat for Epac, who also lost by 1-0 margins to Red Lions and Big Bullets in their previous two home assignments.

Against the Crocodiles from Karonga, the Dini Josiah boys fell behind barely a minute into the game when William Mwaliwamba struck for the visitors.

Ranken Mwale leveled from the spot on eight minutes after being fouled by a Karonga player in the box before claiming his second a few minutes later.

Shortly before the break Jacob Mpachika equalised for the Crocodiles to rest the scores 2-2 at half-time.

Khumbo Msowoya restored the visitors’ lead shortly after resumption and before Epac could realise what was hitting them the striker hit again from the penalty spot.

Lilongwe based female referee Mercy Mzia awarded the penalty following a foul on one of Karonga players by an Epac defender.

There was a fracas towards the end of the game when Karonga head coach Wakisa Mwambetania and his assistant Oscar Kaunda confronted the match officials after Mzia had denied the visitors a clear penalty.

An Epac defender had fouled Msowoya from behind as the striker was about to shoot from the box but Mziya ignored the incident before the striker shot wide.

Irked by the referee’s decision, the Karonga bench led by Mwambetania confronted the match officials, leading to the referee to order the two coaches off the bench.

After being givern the marching orders, Mwambetania charged at the referee and had to be restrained by security personnel from roughing up the female referee.

Kaunda had no kind words for the referee after the game but was quick to praise his charges for playing according to game plan.

The coach expressed optimism the side would collect three more points at Silver Strikers in another must-win encounter tomorrow.

Epac’s Audlo Makonyola said he was not that disappointed with his boys perfomance but asked the team’s management to motivate the boys.

Prior to the game, Epac players had reportedly boycotted training in protest of unpaid training allowances, game bonuses and upkeep fees.

With the win, Karonga have joined Premier Bet Wizards on 27 points from 28 games for both sides but Wizards have a better goal difference.

At Chitowe Stadium, Civo United remained deep in relegation waters after succumbing to a strike by Mafco’s Kingsley Nkhonjera.

The win moved the soldiers from 47 to 50 points with 28 games played.

Civo are stuck on second position from the bottom with 21 points from 27 games.

Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV :

Sharing is caring!