By Lusekero Mhango
KARONGA-(MaraviPost)-Ramadhan Ntafu’s penalty was enough to give an inform Karonga United a 1-0 TNM Super League win over struggling Ekwendeni Hammers on Sunday at the Karonga Stadium.
The penalty which was awarded after a handball in the 70th minute saw Ntafu make no mistake from the spot as he coolly slammed the penalty to hand the home side a win.
The match which was not a classic encounter by any means saw the crocodiles of karonga do enough to ensure a top eight finish in the first round of the league and in the process qualifying for the Airtel Top Eight competition.
Edson Mwafulilwa’s side despite having the majority of the possession could not turn it to regular meaningful chances as the home side’s defence stood strong to earn the three points.
Sheriff Shamama and Gift Kasambala all wasted chances to seal a comfortable home win with late chances but their wastefulness counted for very little as Karonga saw the match out to climb up to eighth on the log table with 20 points to their name from 15 matches while the visitors stay in 13th with 13 points from the same number of matches.
Speaking in a post-match interview Karonga United’s Technical Director Alufeyo Chipanga, expressed delight in his charges win and performance.
“I thought we were superb today especially in the first half where we played some great football hence the win is fully deserved,” he said.
However Ekwendeni Hammers tactician Edson Kadenge Mwafulilwa, bemoaned the officiating in the encounter attributing it to his side’s downfall.
“We had a slow start to the game and we picked up more in the second half and I thought we at least merited a draw from the game but the officiating personnel had other ideas.” A frustrated Mwafulilwa articulated.
