Tigers finish first round with win over Blue Eagles: Malawi TNM Super League
Azam Tigers’ never say die spirit once again saved them after scoring a late goal to finish the TNM Super League first round with a win over Blue Eagles at Kamuzu Stadium in Blantyre on Saturday.
Tigers deserved to win despite leaving it late to score the all important goal through Frazer Menyani’s brilliant goal in the 87rd minute.
Tigers took the game to Blue Eagles for the good part of the game especially the first 15 minutes and last 10 minutes of the first half but lacked the cutting edge to score.
Led by winger Bernard Harawa, Isaac Kaliati, Frazer Menyani and Peter Katsonga Tigers outplayed Blue Eagles who were looking for the win in a bid to be a good position to displace league leaders Bullets they are facing on Sunday in their last game of the first round.
In the second half both team approached the game cautiously after pep talk.
However, both team’s efforts to take the lead were in vain.
Blue Eagles also failed to take their numerical advantage after Tigers were reduced to 10 men as John Dzimbiri was shown marching orders for foul language in the 83rd minute.
The moment that Blue Eagles would haunt them for sometime came in the 87rd minute when Isaac Kaliati weighed in a cross for well positioned Menyani connecting into the net for the goal.
The goal also delighted mercenary supporters led by Bullets fans who did not wish Blue Eagles well to win.
Tigers coach Franco Ndawa said it was good for the team to finish first round with a win.
Ndawa said the team could have scored many goals in the first half but they lacked the killer instinct.
His counterpart Deklerk Msakakuona said it was painful to concede a late goal while looking for a win to finish top of the first half.
But he said the game against Bullets on Sunday at the same venue would be a different affair.
“We have lost today but tomorrow [Sunday] it will be another day and another game so the result today would not affect us,” Msakakuona said.
“In fact we will fight took and nail to get a positive result being our last game of the first round.”
Blue Eagles’ Micium Mhone was chosen player of the match fending off competition from Tigers’ goalkeeper Nenani Kuwaye and midfielder Harawa.
Tigers have finished the first round with 16 points from four wins three draws and seven losses in the 15-team league.
In other games Mighty Wanderers recorded an important 1-0 away win over Mafco in Dwangwa while Civo United and Epac settled for a one-all draw in a Lilongwe derby.
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