By McLloyd Kudzingo
Bangwe All Stars blew past Baka City Football Club in the TNM Super League with an emphatic 3-0 victory at Balaka stadium on Wednesday afternoon.
Kondwani Chilembwe, Richard Rapson and Clever Chikwata were on target for the home side to boost their chances of surviving the chop in the top-flight.
Going into Wednesday’s game, Bangwe were looking forward to continue from where they stopped last Thursday when they beat the defending champions FCB Nyasa Big Bullets 1-nil at Kamuzu Stadium.
Baka on the other hand were aiming to get back on track following an embarrassing 10-0 defeat at the hands of Mighty Mukuru Wanderers last Saturday.
The first half was not that exciting as both sides gave out a lethargic performance with very few scoring opportunities created.
At the start of the second half, both sides made changes with Bangwe bringing in Akimu Osiman for James Msowoya while Baka replaced the injured Phillimon Ndhlovu with Maxwell Mangwele.
From the break, both teams started playing a beautiful passing game but eventually it was Bangwe who played on the front foot especially in the last 25 minutes of the match.
Bangwe coach Trevor Kajawa then made a crucial double substitution in the 58th minute, bringing in the fresh legs of Kondwani Chilembwe and Shukuran Goba for Beston Jimu and Felix Demakude.
The opening goal came in the 60th minute when substitute Kondwani Chilembwe headed home a free-kick beautifully taken by the former Blue Eagles player Richard Rapson.
Five minutes later, Rapson found his name on the score-sheet after beating two Baka City defenders before he calmly placed his shot just inside the near post to double the lead for the home side.
Baka coach Kondwani Mwalweni responded with a double substitution, bringing in Augustino Msowoya and Tambulani Mwale for Mathews Msowoya and Edgar Phiri.
The visitors tried their best to find a consolation but Bangwe’s defence led by captain Fanizo Mwansambo made it possible to deny the Karonga-based side a goal.
In the 85th minute, Rapson who was also voted man of the match, slipped a pass to Clever Chikwata who scored a beautiful goal from what looked like an impossible angle to seal the victory for the home side.
After the match Baka City coach Kondwani Mwalweni could not hide his disappointment with the result but refused to throw in the towel in the league, saying there are still more games to play.
On the other hand Bangwe All Stars coach Trevor Kajawa praised his charges for the wonderful performance in the second half and said he was optimistic that he side would move out of the relegation zone.
“I am very happy that we have won. It was not an easy game especially in the first half but I thank the boys and the whole team that we managed to change our energy in the second half. I am very happy, this win is very important to us,” said Kajawa.
This is the second league game for Kajawa who has just been roped in to assist the team and has so far won all the two league games played.
Bangwe are now on position 14 on the log table with 18 points from 21 games, a point behind 13th placed FOMO FC who have played a games less than the Bangwe outfit.
Baka City on the other hand, remain bottom on the log table with 8 points after playing 21 games.
In other matches played on Wednesday, FCB Nyasa Big Bullets claimed a 3-2 win at home against Creck Sporting FC to move seventh on the log table.
Maxwell Phodo, Babatunde Adepoju and Ernest Petro were on target for the People’s team while Muhammad Sulumba scored all the two goals for the visitors.
In Dwanga, Peter Kasonga scored a brace as Mafco FC beat Mighty Tigers 2-0 at Chitowe Stadium.
In Lilongwe, Kamuzu Barracks beat the struggling Premier Bet Dedza Dynamos 2-nil with goals from Christopher Mtambo and Gregory Nachipo.
The games continue on Saturday September 28, as Civil Service United takes on Moyale Barracks at Civo Stadium while Karonga United hosts Chitipa United at Rumphi Stadium.
On Sunday, Baka City will host FCB Nyasa Big Bullets at Karonga Stadium as FOMO FC host third placed Kamuzu Barracks at Mulanje Stadium.
In a midweek fixture, Wednesday 02nd October, Mzuzu City Hammers who are on position 4 on the log table will host FCB Nyasa Big Bullets at Mzuzu Stadium.
In another midweek fixture, Mighty Mukuru Wanderers will host FOMO FC at Kamuzu Stadium and Bangwe All Stars will play the league leaders Silver Strikers at Balaka Stadium.
The central bankers remain top on the log table with 48 points followed by Mighty Mukuru Wanderers who are perched on the second position with 41 points.
