By Lusekero Mhango
KARONGA-(MaraviPost)-Red Lions FC kept their slim hopes of survival in the TNM Super League after scoring three late goals to stun Karonga United 3-2 on Wednesday afternoon at the Karonga Stadium.
The visitors which were cruising to another defeat with 85 minutes on the clock, sprang to life by producing three late goals to stun a shell-shocked home side who thought had the three points in the bag.
Fred Banda began the fight back in the 85 minute with a long-range strike, before Deus Mkutu’s leveler two minutes later.
Not contempt to settle for a point the away side continued to pile men forward in the hunt for the winner and with a minute to go of stoppage time, substitute Mike Kaziputa tapped in the winner to spark jubilant scenes in the visitor’s dugout.
Karonga who were in control of the game have themselves to blame after blowing a 2-0 lead as a brace from Elie Kayombo who scored either side of half time had set the host to a routine victory until their miraculous implosion.
In a post-match interview Red Lions coach Chifundo Masakula, expressed delight in his charges fight back to collect all three points.
“I am delighted with the fighting spirit of my boys, being 2 nil down most teams would have given up with five minutes to go but we didn’t hence the fantastic come back and win,” said a visibly ecstatic Masakula.
However, his counterpart Trevor Kajawa, bemoaned his side’s loss of focus to see out the game when in total control.
“I can’t explain how we have lost this game because we were in control and heading for a deserved victory but we lost focus late on and conceded those late goals,” said a she-shocked Kajawa.
Despite the win Red Lions remain second from bottom with 21 points to their name, eight points away from safety with six games to windup the league, while Karonga United remain in sixth with 33 points from 25 matches.