By Edwin Mbewe
LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-Red Lions Football Club has started the 2022 season by defeating the 2021 runners up Silver Strikers FC by a goal to nil in the match played at Balaka Stadium Sunday, March 20.
The host, Red Lions, dominated the play from the word goal and the result was a true reflection of the encounter. First half ended in a goalless.
The first 45 minutes no changes from either side were made.In the beginning of the second half both camps changed to inject more power.
Tawonga Chimodzi,Blessings Tembo,Mark Fodya and Gasten Phodo were taken off for Dancun Nyoni,Chikondi Kamanga,Frank Fazala Banda and Tatenda Mbalaka while Mathews Boloweza was replaced by Willard John for Reds.
At 55th minute Bankers missed golden opportunity to take a lead hence got punished by Royal Bokosi who scored for the host five minutes later.
After the goal both teams started piling pressure to each other but their efforts yielded nothing until the match ended.
FDH Bank defending Champions Silver Strikers FC has been beaten by the Soldiers from Zomba with that Bokosi Royal goal to collect first three points in their opening game of the 2022/2023 TNM Superleague season.
Royal Bokosi was later voted man of the match.
Mike Kumanga Reds Coach was delighted with the victory over FDH Bank defending champions saying it is morale booster.
Kumanga added that he will urge his charges to continue working hard.
On Bankers side MacDonald Yobe the assistant Coach was disappointed with the way his charges executed their duties,saying they lacked punch but vowed to come stronger in the next fixtures and recover.
In Rumphi District at Rumphi stadium,the Leopards of Chikulamayembe, Rumphi United, were beaten by fellow debutants Dedza Dynamos by two goals to nil,goals from Promise Kamwendo and Charles Chipala.Dan Dzikambani’s boys were on top of their form outsmarting the host, Rumphi United.
In Lilongwe, at Civo Stadium, boys were separated from men as rookies Sable Farming were reduced to nothing by Franco Ndawa side Civil Service United.
Christopher Kumwembe and former TN Stars attacker Arnold Masamba were on target for the Servants to win the match by two goal margin.
However the game was spiced up after a stray dog invaded the pitch and soon the first goal was scored.
At Mpira Village in Blantyre, The Lions of Kaning’ina, “Moyale Barracks” lost to Mighty Tigers by a goal to nil; the lone goal scored by Mphatso Kasonga.
First week of the 2022/2023 Season has produced 16 goals,with six teams namely; MAFCO FC, silver Strikers, Sable Farming, Moyale Barracks FC, Rumphi United and TN Stars failing to get even a single goal in their opening matches.
First week of the season has not registered any single draw result as all the six games played produced win results.
Kamuzu Barracks, Blue Eagles FC and Dedza Dynamos FC have all claimed victories away from home.
