By McLloyd Kudzingo
James Msowoya’s 90th minute goal fired Bangwe All Stars to a 1-0 win over Civil Service United in a TNM Super League match played at Balaka Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
Substitute Beston Jimu found fellow substitute, James Msowoya who scored the all-important goal with a beautiful strike which send the the entire Balaka Stadium into a frenzy.
The home side were the first to knock at their opponents goal as Patrick Phiri’s shot was saved for a corner-kick by Civil goalkeeper Richard Mwaila just five minutes after kickoff.
The visitors almost found the back of the net in the 8th minute through Chikaiko Batson but his header was saved for a corner-kick by Bangwe’s goalkeeper Elias Missi.
Phiri had another chance to open the score-sheet but his header from a Richard Rapson cross went over the cross bar for a goal-kick in the 22nd minute.
The match ended 0-0 in the first half and in the second half, Bangwe started by a double substitution bringing in the fresh legs of Clever Chikwata and James Msowoya for Kondwani Chilembwe and Felix Demakude.
The visitors made their first substitution in the 61st minute as Chifundo Ngapemba and Mathews Hamuza replaced Chikaiko Batson and Blessings Malinda.
Civil’s longest serving player Damiano Kunje almost put the visitors in front in the 67th minute but his header was beautifully saved by Missi for a corner-kick.
Bangwe coach Trevor Kajawa made another substitution in the 81st minute bringing in Eric Atsiga for Osman Ackim and later on Beston Jimu replaced Patrick Phiri.
Civil on the other hand replaced Righteous Banda and the injured Festus Duwe with Mphatso Magaleta and Samson Phiri.
After the match, Bangwe All Stars defender Ausman Julias was voted man of the match.
The win has helped Bangwe to cement their 13th position as they have now accumulated 27 points from 27 games, 5 points above 14th and 15th placed Chitipa United and FOMO FC who have both played 26 games.
In other Super League matches played on Saturday, bottom placed Baka City gave away their 2-nil lead to draw 2-2 against Mighty Tigers at Karonga Stadium.
Tambulani Mwale and Edgar Phiri were on target for the home side while Tigers got their goals through Precious Chipungu and an own goal from Kelvin Nyondo.
Baka remain bottom on the log table with 12 points from 27 games and Tigers are on position 12 with 29 points after playing 28 games.
In Lilongwe, Mafco FC came from behind to beat fellow soldiers Kamuzu Barracks (KB) 2-1 at Nankhaka Stadium.
Olson Kanjira had put KB in front in the 21st minute but Peter Kasonga equalised from the penalty spot in the 53rd minute before Bernard Chimaimba scored the winner in the 74th minute.
Mafco have now moved to position 6 on the log table with 38 points followed by Creck Sporting, Kamuzu Barracks and Karonga United who have accumulated 37 points each.
On Sunday, Karonga United will host Premier Bet Dedza Dynamos at Karonga Stadium as Creck Sporting Club play Chitipa United at Dimba Stadium.
