The Maravi Post

LILONGWE--Red Lions FC Sunday, August 19, 2012 made history by becoming the first traveling team to collect maximum six league points from the capital city this season, when they narrowly defeated their brothers in arms Kamuzu Barracks 1-0 in a dull TNM Super League match played at Civo Stadium in Lilongwe.

The victory came barely 24 hours after the roaring lions from the old capital had devoured Civo United 2-0 at the same venue.

This means Red Lions are the first side this season to bag full points from two league assignments in the capital city. Just last week, two visiting sides- Bvumbwe Research from Thyolo and Moyale Barracks from Mzuzu went back home empty handed after losing to Lilongwe teams.

A week earlier, the ‘people’s team,’ Big Bullets went back to the south with a single point after losing 2-0 at Blue Eagles before forcing a draw against Epac FC. Other teams that have fallen victim in the capital include Mighty Wanderers, who lost both their games against Civo and Kamuzu Barracks, Azam Tigers, Escom United and Kabwafu.

Unlike the previous day, the soldiers from Zomba had it tough against their brothers from army headquarters, who stretched them from left, right and centre before substitute Kelvin Katema came to the rescue with just five minutes to go.

Katema came in for Dan Katunga in the second half and he turned hero for the visitors after heading in a well floated free kick by veteran midfielder Pritchard Mwansa.

With the win, Red Lions have now moved just a point behind league leaders Silver Strikers. The bankers can, however, extend their lead by four points with a win against Epac FC on Monday, August 20, 2012 at the Civo Stadium.

Speaking after the whistle, Nkhuna described the game as tough but praised his boys for sticking to game plan.

“Being an all soldiers’ affair, it was a very difficult match but we fought up to the very end. We had a plan against both Civo and KB and part of our plan was to let the referees do their job. If you fight against referees, the boys tend to lose concentration,” said Nkhuna.

But his counterpart Kennedy Nkhoma said he was not pleased with the way the officiating crew handled the game: “We could have won this game but the referees have let us down. The free kick from which Red Lions got their goal was not supposed to be awarded and we could have had a free kick towards the end when Red Lions’ goalkeeper (Brighton Ngwenyama) handled the ball from outside the 18-yard box but the referee didn't blow,” lamented Nkhoma.
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©2012 The Maravi Post. Reproduction authorised, with usual acknowledgment.