Red Lions beat Civo to maintain unbeaten run
Zomba based soldier’s side Red Lions on Saturday extended their unbeaten run to ten consecutive games in the 2012-2013 K65 Million TNM Super League season after beating Civo Service United 1-0 at the Civo Stadium
The win moves the soldiers to second position with 24 points from 10 games.
Civo Service United looked a better side in the opening ten minutes of the game as they created a number of scoring opportunities but their attacking machinery comprising of Welani Nyirenda, Jabulani Linje, Nelson Kangunje, Lazarous Chirwa and Martin Masoatheka was wasteful.
Martin Masoatheka nearly gave the Civil Servants a lead in the 13th minute but wanted to score in style and his final shot went wide in a one-on-one situation with Red Lions goalkeeper Brighton Ngwenya.
Welani Nyirenda was also unlucky not to have scored a minute later when his shot was jealously served by Ngwenyama handing Civo a corner kick.
Red Lions then settled down and started to respond to Civo’s threats hence they looked dangerous when attacking through their dazzling striker Dan Katunga and Kelvin Katema.
Civo defense marshaled by Pilirani Makupe alongside Charles Ben, Wyson Nkhana and John Lanjesi partly looked disorganized as they tolerated the Reds to penetrate their territory.
The cracks in Civo’s defense were exposed in the 22nd minute when the defenders failed to cut a cross sent in the penalty box by Lawrence Namate.
The ball landed on the head of Kelvin Katema who without any mistake beautifully headed in the ball beating Civo goal custodian Onanie Cuthbert Sengwa.
The goal gave the visitors confidence but Civo never peddled back as they kept on attacking and pile pressure on their opponents.
In the second half Civo started continued from where it had left in the first half in search of an equalizer but suffered a huge blow in the early minutes of the second half when the visitors scored the second goal through striker Dan Katunga.
Katunga, who gave the home side tough time throughout the match, scored the second goal after receiving a long searching ball played by goal keeper Brighton Ngwenyama.
In a move to increase the pace and power, Civo coach Alex Masanjala rested Lazarus Chirwa and Jabulani Linje who had a quiet afternoon bringing in Lawrence Mwehiwa and Lusekero Mwathengere but the substitution never paid dividends.
Speaking after the match, Civo Coach Alex Masanjala admitted his team was second best.
“We have gone down but it was a good game we played well but it wasn’t our day. We tried our best in the second to pull the goals back things never worked out for us. Our opponents played well and created a lot of scoring opportunities in which they managed to score two goals,” said Masanjala.
His opposite number Collins Nkuna was in crowd nine.
“It was a good game and I congratulate my boys for a job well done. I told them not to play against the referee but rather concentrate on playing to yield three points and I am hoping to return to Zomba with the maximum six points” he said.
Red Lions play fellow soldiers Kamuzu Barracks on Sunday.
In other Super League games played on Saturday, Blue Eagles went down to Azam Tigers 2-1 in Nchalo. Moyale Barracks beat Bvumbwe United 2-0 at Balaka Stadium.
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