…..Mbabzi 0-1 Zitha

By Edwin Mbewe

LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-The battle for the Chipiku Premier division league supremacy continues getting exciting as the top-four teams are sweating to get desired results.

In their quest to get the promotion into the TNM Super League, teams are playing with lungs out to get results but facing stiff challenges as each and every game now has turned to be a final. Just days ago, all the top three teams; Silver Strikers Reserve, Kawinga and Namitete Zitha dropped points.

Silver lost 1-0 to Leyman Panthers courtesy of Saint Chikwawe’s goal, Namitete Zitha drew 2-2 against Kamuzu Barracks reserve while Kawinga played to a 1-1 draw against Support Battalion.

However, Namitete Zitha reacted too fast on Saturday, December 9, as they claimed a 1-0 win over Mbabzi United who were hoping to ascend to third position if they had won.

In a game played at Kamuzu Barracks ground, Maxwell Mangwere scored from the pot 30 minutes into the first half.

The two teams kept on attacking each other for more goals but all their efforts went in vain till the last whistle came up to confirm the Jackals clashing Mbabzi and open a three-point gap with Silver Strikers Reserve.

Zitha are now on 34 points from 15 games on top of the 12 team’s log table,Silver are second with 31 points from 14 games.

Reacting after the match, head coach for Zitha Martin Mthetho Mkamanga hailed the boys for a win describing the encounter as tough.

“At this stage we can’t expect an easy game, each and every game will be like a final. I thank the boys for the victory and we will make sure to win our next match so that we remain on top of the table”, said Mkamanga.

On Sunday, December 10, Kawinga who are third on the ladder with 28 points date Silver Strikers in what can be a must win for the two sides if they are to reduce the gap with Namitete Zitha.

The match between Young Bankers and Kawinga is coming after two weeks encounter in the Nyasa Capital Finance Cup where the central bankers defeated Kawinga 1-0 at Nankhaka in the semi-final.

In the first round of the league, Kawinga won 1-0 at Mbabzi ground with the lone goal scored by Arnold Son Kiyama through a spot kick in the dying minutes of the game.

The 12 teams in the Chipiku Premier division league are anticipated to play 22 games each before the champion is known.