Gilbert Chirwa restores happiness at Eagles as Nomads swat TN
Gilbert Chirwa on Sunday afternoon scored the only goal against Karonga United in TNM Super League to restore happiness at area 30.
It was the Cops’ first victory is Super League after 76 days as their last win dated back two months ago as they beat Red Lions 4-1 at Balaka Stadium on May 8, 2022.
Blue Eagles played five draws consecutively before suffering their first defeat to TN Stars in their last game in the first round of the Super League.
A second win in all competitions after thumping Rumphi United on Friday, Blue Eagles Coach, Eliya Kananji wouldn’t be quite, but voiced his happiness.
Kananji said, “I congratulate my boys, beating Karonga at their home it was not an easy task. Karonga United are a good side.”
His counterpart, Christopher Nyambose, head coach for Karonga United said his first home defeat was very painful but was quick to call for forgiveness from Karonga United fans.
Nyambose said, ” It was a good game, we created chances but we failed to convert. It’s very painful and I beg our fans to forgive us. We will wash away the sins as we go by. We want to climb up the table.”
In the field of play, Eliya Kananji made only one change from the team that beat Rumphi United as Bright Munthali replaced John Soko between the posts.
After his impressive performance against Rumphi, Maxwell Salambula made his first start in the Super League as he paired with Captain Schumacker Kuwali upfront.
On the other hand, Coach for Ingwina, Nyambose made no change from the team that beat Iponga FC in FDH Bank as Erick Atsigah, Victor Chirambo, Gift Kasambala, Josia Duwa all started the game.
The first half was dull as teams lacked the creativity to taste their goalkeepers and it was goalless at the break.
In the second half, Gilbert Chirwa scored with a volley in the 71st minute to give the Eagles the lead.
Some Karonga United were not happy with the way the game was being officiated and they threw some stones toward the referee and the play had to be stopped for a while. The play resumed later, but nothing changed as the game ended in favour of the area 30-based policemen.
The victory reduces Blue Eagles gap with Nyasa Big Bullets who dropped points against KB on Saturday to 9. Blue Eagles have 33 points while Bullets have 42 points from the same number of games.
The Eagles will welcome Moyale Barracks at home, Nankhaka on 30th July while Karonga United have been rested this weekend.
Elsewhere, in Kasungu, first half strikes from two defenders, Stanley Sanudi and Peter Cholopi were enough to give Mighty Wanderers the maximum points over the struggling TN Stars.
Team Manager for TN Stars, Monkey Chirwa blamed the officiation for their loss.
He said, “It was a good game but the officiation disturbed our game. These referees are disturbing our football. These big teams always play with fourteen players. You have seen the way we played in the second half.”
Eddington Ng’onamo, Head of Technical panel for Mighty Wanderers said the victory means a lot to their title chase.
“We are happy for the win, this is our first game and we are happy that we have kick started the second d round with a win.,” said Ng’onamo.
The victory means that the Nomads have reduced their gap with Bullets to 12 points and they sit third with 31 points.
TN Stars remain 14 on the team with 12 points from 16 games.
Mighty Mukuru Wanderers will face TN Stars in their next assignment while TN Stars will travel to Balaka to play against Red Lions.
In Lilongwe, Muhammad Biyason was at the tussle of things as he scored twice to give his team, Civil Service United a victory as they played Red Lions.
Team Manager for Civil Service United, Gilbert Chirwa praised the boys for the performance.
Gabriel Chirwa said, “We are happy that we have found three points and two goals. These three points marks our next level. We are hopeful that we will continue doing well.”
Mike Kumanga who returned to the dugout last week, replacing Nelson Chirwa said his team has to up the game if they are to go up the table.
“We have lost the game but we didn’t expect it. We have to accept and go back to rectify where possible. An easy goal from our opponents took my boys away from the game. This is the last half, so we need to up our game to finish in a good position,” said Kumanga.
Civil Service United have climbed the table from number 10 to 9 with 20 points while Red Lions are on number 11 with 17 points.
Civil play Kamuzu Barracks in their next game.
At Mulanje, a good run of form for Dedza Dynamos continues as they beat their fellow rookies, Sable Farming by 2 goals to nill.
Promise Kamwendo and Clement Nyondo were on target for the Salima Sugar-sponsored boys while Cassim had a consolation goal for the Chiradzulu-based farmers.
Dan Dzinkambni was very happy with the victory.
He said, “It was a tough game, we played very well and we would have won with even more goals. The penalty that the referee awarded our opponents was not real but it’s part of the game.”
The victory lifts Dedza to 6th from 7th with 25 points from 16 games while Sable have slipped to 15th place with 11 points from the same number of games.
Dedza will rest this weekend as Sable play against Tigers at Mpira stadium on Wednesday, 3rd August.
Rumphi United and Ekwendeni Hammers shared the spoils at Rumphi stadium.
