The Maravi Post

Touchline View w/Joseph Chibewa

MZUZU--After shocking Epac United with a 2-1 beating in a Super League encounter the previous week, new kids on the block Kabwafu FC on Sunday inflicted yet another defeat on ailing giants Moyale Barracks FC with a similar margin at Mzuzu Stadium to continue their giant-killing antics.

Coming from a remote tobacco-growing area in Mzimba district, not many football followers game Kabwafu a benefit of the doubt to make an impact in the Super League, but the opposite has been true and the rookies continue causing a sensation as they perch on third position on the league table with six points after winning two of their three games so far.

The loss to Kabwafu condemned the Kaning’ina soldiers to their third consecutive defeat and dangling at the very bottom of the log table.

Malumbo Chiumia and Charles Chilembo scored a goal each in each half for Kwbwafu, while substitute Lessman Singini grabbed a late consolation for the soldiers.

In Blantyre, super substitute Tony Chitsulo stepped onto the pitch to hit two beauties within a space of 10 minutes for Silver Strikers as they came from behind to beat Mighty Wanderers in a well patronized Super League match at Kamuzu Stadium.

Wanderers seemed to have wrapped the game when they scored through illustrious midfield star Joseph Kamwendo on the 75th minute, but the coming in of Chitsulo turned the tables when he banged in two quick goals to give his side a lucky win in a match Kamwendo shone like a beacon just as he did for the Flames the previous day when they drew against Nigeria in a World Cup qualifier.

It was sweet revenge for the Capital City bankers, who last season lost on three occasions to the Nomads in league and cup games. They now top the league table with 9 points from three games, while Wanderers are on 7th position with 4 points from three games.

Second on the table with 7 points are another Capital City side Civo United who were held to a 3-all draw with Salima-based eighth-placed Mafco at Chitowe in Dwangwa on Sunday. Mafco have four points from three games played so far, having won one, drawn one and lost one.

At Civo Stadium in the capital, it was a lost opportunity for another newcomer in the Super League, Kamuzu Barracks, to unseat defending champions Silver Strikers from the top of the league table when they went down 2-1 to Blue Eagles on Sunday.

In Zomba, former giants Big Bullets also struggled to a 1-all draw with Blantyre United, not a very good result for the People’s Team, which, along with archrivals Wanderers are struggling to prove to their newfound sponsors Carlsberg Malawi Limited as to why they should continue bankrolling them after this season.

The Bullets made a false start as they found the net first through new catch veteran Heston Munthali, but the Blantyre United were level thanks to Dalitso Sailesi who snatched a late equaliser after being set by Sparrow Msowoya.

The brewers have said they will continue to sponsor either Bullets or Wanderers, whichever club emerges the better than the other at the end of the season. The two sides, who probably enjoy the most following in the country, are sponsored by Carlsberg Malawi to the tune of K15 million each.

In Nchalo, Escom United and Bvumbwe Research screeched to a barren draw. They were both left hanging at the bottom of the table with a point apiece with the former still searching for a win in four matches. Bvumbwe have so far played two games and are third from the bottom while Escom are a just rung ahead on 12th position.

Super League action continues this Sunday as all roads lead to Kamuzu Stadium where the draw specialists, the Flames will be back in action against Chad in an 2013 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier, which they must win at all cost if they are to move on to the second round.

The Flames can’t afford another draw and should beat the Chadians at home to qualify for the second round after having lost the first leg 3-2 in N’djamena earlier this year. But the Malawians are still in with a chance for scoring two vital away goals.
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