By Lusekero Mhango
KARONGA-(MaraviPost)-Goals from Ramadhan Ntafu and China Chirwa were enough for the team of the moment in the 2023 TNM Super League Chitipa United eased past struggling Karonga United at the Karonga Stadium on Sunday.
The victory which keeps the home side’s 100% home record with their ninth win lifts the Chitipa-based side to second on the league standings level on points with Silver Strikers with both teams having 32 points from 16 games respectively.
While relegation threatened Karonga United remain in 10th with 18 points from 16 matches to their name.
The encounter played in front of a mammoth crowd at the Karonga Stadium, saw the home side begin the encounter strongly as they took the lead in the 10th minute after the impressive Ntafu capitalized on a mistake by the visitor’ defense.
However, the away side should have equalized in added time at the end of the first half but Josiah Duwa saw his penalty come back from the post after the referee awarded Karonga a spot-kick following a handball by Peter Mughogho.
Despite coming strong in the second half the visitors failed to capitalized on their dominance as Alan Chihana and Saolos Moyo all miss presentable opportunities.
In the 75th minute, the hosts punished the away side’s profligacy in front of the goal as debutant China Chirwa finished off a well-constructed counterattack to spark jubilant scenes in the stands.
Meanwhile in a post-match interview assistant coach for Karonga United Luka Milanze, lamented his boys’ lack of composure in front of goal saying it was the reason why they went down to the defeat.
“I thought we were the better team throughout the 90 minutes, we created lots of chances but failed to take them, our opponent only had two chances which they took,” said a visibly frustrated Milanzi.
Nevertheless Chitipa United coach MacDonald Mtetemera hailed his charges fighting spirit to overcome a stubborn Karonga United.
“We were given a massive test today but we coped well with whatever was thrown at us hence we deserved to come out as victors in a tough encounter,” he said.
