By McLloyd Kudzingo
Bangwe All Stars Football Club (FC) failed to capitalise on their numerical advantage as they were held to a 1-all draw against Kamuzu Barracks FC who ended the match with ten men in a fast-paced TNM Super League encounter at Balaka Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
Bangwe looked lively during the opening stages of the game but they were silenced in the 6th minute when the visitors broke the deadlock with a beautiful finish by Olson Kanjira who connected well a corner kick taken by his captain Samuel Gundah.
The home side equalized in the 30th minute through Innocent Msowoya who scored from the penalty box after a handball incident in the penalty box.
KB’s captain Samuel Gundah was shown a straight red card in the added minutes of the first half following a foul on Shukuran Goba who was also voted man of the match.
Despite playing against ten men for the whole of the second half, Bangwe were unable to take advantage as KB looked more composed and they played even better in the second half.
The soldiers had a number scoring opportunities mainly through the towering Olson Kanjira but Bangwe led by Gabihno Daud and Ausman Julias looked more disciplined at the back.
Bangwe on the other hand had a number of scoring opportunities as well through Richard Lapson, Clever Chikwata and substitute James Msowoya but KB defence led by Herbert Wayekha,Lloyd Mugala and Hope Namadzunda were equally good to deny the home side victory.
KB goalkeeper Goalkeeper Etcken Sibande also made a number of important saves to ensure that his side which is seventh on the log table leaves Balaka Stadium with a point.
Elsewhere, the Lilongwe derby between league leaders Silver Strikers and Civil Service United ended goalless at Silver Stadium as Mafco FC came from behind to beat bottom placed Baka City 2-1 at Chitowe Stadium.
In Mchinji, Karonga United who were coming from a 1-nil win against Mighty Mukuru Wanderers, went on to beat Creck Sporting Club with the same margin courtesy of Blessings Mwalilino’s 79th goal.
Silver Strikers remain top on the log table with 51 points followed by Wanderers who are on second position with 44 points, four points above city rivals FCB Nyasa Big Bullets who are perched on third position with 40 points.
Baka City, Chitipa United and Bangwe All Stars remain in the relegation zone.