Two see red as Civil Sporting tame Lions: Malawi TNM Super League

Civil Sporting Club on Saturday beat struggling Zomba based military side Red Lions 1-0 in an explosive TNM Super League match played under a very hot weather at the Balaka Stadium.

Red Lions players besiege the referee

The game bursted into life straight from the first whistle.

The visitors Civil took the lead in as early as nine minutes through Joseph Dudu Kachule who scored from the spot kick after the referee Benadicto Chongwe awarded the Servants a penalty following a hand ball in the penalty box.

But the game was later marred by more physical battle than just football itself resulting into several infringements and injuries.

Raphael Phiri was left fuming in the 23rd minute when he was adjudged to have hit a Red Lions player in an off the ball incident resulting into a straight red card.

The decision did not go down well with Civil Sporting officials who heavily protested through the match commissioner but their protests beared no fruits.

With a man down, Civil started to play a more defencive game leaving only Mapopa Kaunda upfront as a loan strike.

The absence of Chikoti Chirwa on Red Lions Central midfield who is in Tanzania with the Flames was greatly felt as the soldiers lacked creativity almost the entire first half.

But the Lions suddenly woke up in the second half but were denied an equaliser due to brilliant numerous saves from Civil goalkeeper Tione Tembo.

Boniface Kaulesi who led Lions attacking machinery produced a number of solo efforts but to no avail.

Reds defender Innocent Mlima was also shown matching orders for uttering obscene languages towards the referee.

Both sides made substitutions aiming to defend the lead and in search of an equaliser respectively but nothing changed until the final whistle.

In a post-match interview with Nyasa Times, Civil Team Manager Gabriel Chirwa admitted the soldiers were a tough nut to crack.

“It was a very tough game more especially in the first half and we didnt play our usual football. The red card also affected our game plan but all in all we are happy that we have three points in the bag,” Chirwa said.

“We know the going will continue to get tough and with this result, all the teams will be coming hard on us but we will make sure we organise ourselves and start to play our usual game,” added Chirwa.

There was no immediate reaction from Red Lions Technical panel as all the officials rushed to the dressing room after the final whistle.

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