The Maravi Post

LILONGWE—Epac United, which has been struggling this season, on Saturday beat MAFCO to clinch their second victory of the season and move five places above the bottom of the table.

Albus Makawa’s side has been on a miserable run in the past weeks, with the coach feeling the pressure from the owner of the team and the fans, but Makawa remained confident of making things happen, maybe it’s this confidence which is seeing the team win some matches.

In the first quarter of the hour, the game proved to be a cagey match affair as both teams failed to create real goal scoring chances.

MAFCO went ahead in the 26th minute, when Epac goalie Jailosi Kapalamula misjudged Zasha Munong’oneza’s long throw and Osward Nkagula was at hand to head in the opener--1-0

After the opener, Mafco dominated as they managed to create a lot of goal scoring opportunities but their forward line failed to use them.

In the second half, Epac made an early substitute by bringing on Rodrick Douglas in place of Wonderful Tumeyo. Epac looked to be the much improved side in the second stanza of the game, as the mounted enormous pressure on their opponents which resulted into the leveler.

Just seven minutes after restart, Epac got a free kick at an inviting angle. Tsanzo Dalio curled in a handsome cross in the box and the substitute Douglas headed it home to put his team on level terms--1-1

Contrary to the first half, when Mafco boasted a lion’s share of procession, in the second half it was Epac which enjoyed a good share of ball possession but like their opponents, they failed to convert that into goals. Just on the hour mark, Epac capitalized on their advantage when Jafali Chande surged forwad and was accorded too much room to open fire just outside of the penalty box and the keeper had no chance of preventing the short from kissing the net--2-1

Mafco tried to get back into the game, but their effort was dealt with a major blow when Vitumbiko Phiri was shown a red card for a bad challenge on Jafali Chande.

After the match, Epac coach Albus Makawa was satisfied with his team’s effort and he hoped it could be the turnaround for his side.

“It was a good game today, our team created a lot of the chances and we could have scored a lot of goals but we failed to do that, so we will work on that. We want this win to mark the start of good things for us so that we can push up the table.” he said

His opposite number, Stereo Gondwe accepted defeat, but he had no kind words for the referee.

“I don’t think this is the way things have to be that always we should be complaining about the refs, you saw it in the game; he gave a red card from nowhere and that I think it’s unfair,” he said.
 ---
©2012 The Maravi Post. Reproduction authorised, with usual acknowledgment.