By McLloyd Kudzingo
Red Lions and Civil Service United played out a 1-1 draw in their TNM Super League match at Balaka Stadium on Saturday.
Lovemore Mbeta gave the visitors the lead in the 66th minute but Ferguson Ntondo equalized for Red Lions 14 minutes later.
Mbeta who came in as a substitute scored after receiving a good ball from a corner kick played by Damiano Kunje while Ntondo found the back of the net after an earlier shot by Brown Maganga was blocked by Civil’s defender.
After the match Civil’s captain Timothy Sulwimba was named Man of the match.
Speaking in a post match interview, Civil Service United Coach Wilson Chidati bemoaned his players’ poor clinical nature in front of goal for the draw.
Chidati said, “It was a great game only that we failed to use our chances very well; Minutes after scoring the goal, we lost concentration a little bit and Red Lions equalized. We will go back to training and plan to do better in the next games.”
Despite the draw, Red Lions Assistant coach Chifundo Masapula sounded optimistic that his side will soon move out of the relegation zone.
“I am happy with the way the boys have played today. I think from the time we played Chitipa, you have noticed that our play has improved only that today we lacked a killer punch up front. We will try to maintain this style of play and polish up here and there so that we survive in the league,” said Masapula.
With the draw, the Zomba-based soldiers remain in the relegation zone as they are perched on position 15 with 8 points from 10 games and Civil are stuck on position 11 with 11 points from the same number of games.
In Lilongwe, it ended goalless between Kamuzu Barracks and defending champions FCB Nyasa Big Bullets.
Despite the draw, Bullets remain top on the log table with 21 points level with second placed Silver Strikers but the central bankers have a game to play.
In Mzuzu, Precious Chiudza’s early goal was enough to give Mighty Tigers maximum points against the hosts Moyale Barracks.
Another Malawi Defence Force team, Mafco FC, also lost at home as they were beaten 1-nil by Blue Eagles at Chitowe Stadium.
Richard Lapson scored the only goal of the match for the Area 30 side in the 47th minute.
Chitipa United were 1-nil winners against Bangwe All Stars in a match played at Karonga Stadium.
Gidion Mgonja Sululu was on target for the home side who have now moved to the fourth position on the log table.
On Sunday, Silver Strikers will be looking to dislodge FCB Nyasa Big Bullets at the summit as they host Karonga United at Bingu National Stadium.
Mighty Mukuru Wanderers will host Dedza Dynamos at Kamuzu Stadium as Extreme FC hosts Ekwendeni Hammers at Civo Stadium.
