Hammers beat Extreme to go sixth

By Antony Isaiah Jr…….

Ekwendeni Hammers midfielder, Blessings Singini was the star yet again in his team’s 1-0 win over the league anchors, Extreme FC.

If his performance is not enough to to grade his level, he was the difference in the game as his first-half strike was enough to power the Iron boys to position six level on points with Blue Eagles who beat Mafco FC 1-0 on Saturday in Dwangwa.

Off the back of a drubbing 4-1 defeat to FCB Nyasa Big Bullets before the international break, differential coach, Luckson Nyoni missed the services of Harry Nyirenda but Bullets loanee, Kitsen White was handed the start and he partnered with Chikumbutso Henderson in the heart of defence.

With a team full of ball players, Nyoni opted for a diamond midfield with Mphatso Magaleta and Samson Phiri operating false wingers while Wongan Lungu was in the hole ahead of the double-pivot.

“We knew that Extreme FC rely on their wingers to send the balls, so we packed the midfield to block those spaces and not allow our full-backs to be indented,” Nyoni tells Wa Mpira after the game.

“Singini and Yasin Rashid were playing as double-pivots, but I wanted Blessings to be higher than Yasin because of his ability to shoot from distance. He performed so well,” Nyoni Continued.

Hammers had a quick start and they had found the lead just six minutes from Charles Chimimba’s first whistle.

Most of the players for Extreme FC retained their starting places from their 1-0 win over Mighty Mukuru Wanderers as Blessings Juma was manning the posts, Trevor Kalema and John Chalamanda were the two twin defenders.

Extreme’s defence caught napped as Hammers penetrated through the right flank where Samson Phiri was operating. Captain Singin unleashed a shot that goalkeeper, Blessings Juma failed to palm away as the Northern Region outfits were in front.

The two sides prior to the game had met just once and Extreme won the game in penalties in the Northern Region Football Bonanza played before the 2023 Football season rolled out.

Justice Honde proved to be a threat as he was able to create for his strikers. Three chances for Extreme FC were missed in the first half. Honde opened the defence for the hammers through the left side and swung in a cross that found Beston Jimu unmarked but the striker blazed his effort just wide before Gregory Mwase connected Honde’s cross into the palms of Mika Chiyenda.

Singini in combination with Phiri, Wongani Lungu, Mphatso Magaleta were able to open the defence for the hosts but the last touches were poor. Phiri twice blazed his efforts over the bar from close range while Singini saw his hammer shot being palmed away by Juma.

Justice Honde nearly equalised for the hosts after a mixed-up of defending by Hammers defenders but he whistled the ball wide with the goal gapping.

Singini saw his free-kick being tipped over the bar by Juma before Wongan Lungu having his bullet going away from the goals.

After the recess, Hammers started from where they stopped in the first half as Yasin Rashid uprooted a shot that missed Juma’s post with just inches.

Extreme FC gained the momentum and they started pilling pressure on the visitors but they couldn’t find the way.

Mavuto Chipolopolo who replaced Beston Joma saw his rocket shot tipped over by Chiyenda.

In the second half, there were few chances and Hammers held on to the last minute to bag six points from the possible 9 on road consecutively.

Extreme FC remain at the foot of the table with 5 points from 10 games.