KB soak Blantyre United in muddy waters: Malawi Super League
Kamuzu Barracks FC from the Malawi Defence Force (MDF) Headquarters in Lilongwe Sunday, January 13, 2013 applied brakes on the cruising Blantyre United after crashing the visiting ‘Mphembedzu’ 3-1 in a TNM Super League affairs played on a muddy Civo Stadium turf in the capital city.
The result means Kamuzu Barracks have claimed a double over Blantyre United in the league, having also defeated them 2-0 at Kamuzu Stadium in the first round.
However, Sunday’s result came as a surprise to many soccer followers who expected United to continue from where they had left at Area 30 the previous day.
After the visitors 1-0 win against Carlsberg Cup kings Blue Eagles at Nankhaka Ground on Saturday, many predicted a comfortable win for Mphembedzu against the struggling soldiers.
But the soldiers proved that soccer is played on the pitch and not in the papers or stands by pouncing on the visitors from the early moments and eventually soaking them in the muddy waters.
Jawadu Samuli led the soldiers’ onslaught, scoring as early a eight minute after overpowering two United central defenders.
Things turned sour for United in the 15th minute when a Maxwell Chirwa clearance deflected off the head of KB’s Dan Ziba for the second goal.
Denis Kambewa made it 3-0 for the home side eight minutes after resumption before Abraham Kamwendo responded with a long range drive, resting the scores at 3-1.
KB coach Kenwood Nkhoma saluted his charges for playing to instructions: “We told our boys to use long balls because of the muddy surface and they did just what we told them. Our opponents were using short passes and they realized very late that their system of play could not cope with the condition of the pitch.”
His opposite number Elia Kananji conceded defeat, saying it was not his team’s day: “We accept the loss. It was not our day and the condition of the pitch did not help matters for us because we play a passing game.” he said.
Despite the defeat, United still top the league’s standings with 48 points from 25 games. Silver Strikers, who were held 1-all by Big Bullets at Kamuzu Stadium in Blantyre are second with 44 points from 21 games. The Bullets are third with 43 points from 23 games.
Elsewhere Red Lions came from behind to beat bottom-placed Kabwafu 3-1 at Zomba Community Centre ground.
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