MATCH REPORT | SPORTS | FOOTBALL

By Lusekero Mhango

Savenda Chitipa United’s upturn in form continues gathering momentum as on Saturday, it downed struggling Moyale Barracks 2-1 in a TNM Super League match played at the Karonga Stadium.

An Ivan Mwakapenda’s penalty, and a Khumbo Ng’ambi tap-in ensured Moyale Barracks Fc’s new mentor, Collins Nkuna has to wait for another day as he has begun his second spell with the club.

Coincidentally, the result also sees Savenda Chitipa United going four matches without tasting defeat.

In a lively first half the visitors were first to settle in the game imposing their physicality on the home side led by Gastin Simkonda in the front line.

In the 18^th minute Moyale got the goal that their performance deserved as Simkonda scored from 20 yards.

However, their lead lasted only 30 seconds as straight from the restart the home side levelled the match after taking advantage of a laps of concentration by the Moyale’s defence as Mwakapenda tapped the ball into an empty net past a helpless McDonald Harawa.

The goal galvanised the home side as it took full control of the game led by the excellent Christopher Mtambo who had the visitors’ defence dancing to his tunes with his crosses and dribbling skills.

In the second half Chitipa continued to pile the pressure on the visitors with their neat one touch football.

In the 55^th minute, the home side took the lead from the penalty spot after Khumbo Ng’ambi won and converted the spot-kick himself.

Chasing an equalizer, the Kaning’ina based outfit camped themselves in the Chitipa’s half in the last 20 minutes.

Simkonda, Brown Magaga and Boyboy Chima all went close to grabbing an equalizer. However, they found home side’s goal custodian Dalitso Kunga in inspired form as he faulted their efforts on his goal.

Speaking in a post-match interview Chitipa United coach Alex Ngwira, praised his boys for keeping their concentration amid the barrage of pressure exerted in their defence in the closing stages of the game.

“Our fans are now seeing the mature team that I said they will be seeing and today we had to be strong physically and mentally to come from a goal behind and pick up the three points and as a coach that’s what pleased me a lot about our character,” praised Ngwira.

On his part, the visitors’ mentor, Colins Nkuna, diverted the blame to the men in black.

“The officiation was really poor today. The two (Chitipa United) goals were not legitimate. Today, we’ve been robbed of at least a point that our performance merited,” a frustrated Nkuna Said.

With the win Savenda Chitipa United has climbed up to 11^th on the log table with 12 points to its name from 14 matches while Moyale Barracks drops a place to 12^th with 11 points from 11 matches.