….Ekhaya 1-0 Mafco
By Edwin Mbewe
BLANTYRE-(MaraviPost)-A second half strike by Clever Chikwata in the 68th minute was enough to give the Cow Boys a significant victory over the Malawi College of Armed Forces (MAFCO) soldiers on Saturday at the Kamuzu Stadium in Blantyre.
The win took the rookies to fourth position dislodging Blue Eagles FC who plays Chitipa United FC away in Chitipa on Sunday to wrap up the first round.
Coming from a 3-1 loss to the defending Champions, Silver Strikers FC, Ekhaya showed an intent to win the match from the onset with a highly pressing match.
However, MAFCO that also defeated 1-0 by FCB Nyasa Big Bullets in their last match defended well and contained the rookies’ pressure until the first half ended in a barren draw.
Ekhaya’ Hermas Masinja’ volley hit the side net from a highly-intensity pressing move on the right with just two minutes into the match. MAFCO replied from a set piece which Auspicious Kadzongola delivered into the box to Captain Paul Ndhlovu whose powerful header was cleverly saved by Amos Sande to concede a corner which was later defended in the 10th minute.
The home side kept their pressing type of play, in the 17th minute, James Lumbe unleashed a shot on goal outside the penalty box which Christopher Mikuwa saved.
In the 21st minute, Aubrey Chafewa intercepted a dangerous pass by Stanley Billiat resulting from an excellent run, the effort resulted into the corner kick which the soldiers defended.
As the first stanza slowly matured there was a midfield battle between MAFCO’ Auspicious Kadzongola and James Lumbe of Ekhaya showcasing individual skills, demonstrating pace and precision in transitioning into the attacking zones, though the two sides failed to utilize these opportunities to create scoring chances in the final third.
At half hour-mark Lumbe came up with another precise pass which found Safton Chimtokoma who set up Vincent Salawira with a great ball but Salawira’s quick strike was saved by Mikuwa.
The home side was awarded a penalty in the 38th minute as James Lumbe was brought down by Aubrey Chafewa in the box, Andrew Lameck however saw his kick being denied by Christopher Mikuwa guarding the sticks for the visitors and later captain Paul Ndhlovu and Vitumbiko Phiri received yellow cards.
The intensity of the battle kept heating up knowing the pivotal of the maximum points at stake, Prince Kachere was booked by referee Mark Dzimbasekwa for fouling Hermas Masinja within their own half in the 43rd minute as the deadlock was maintained, 0-0. Soon the battle was called for a recess.
Second stanza started with coach Enos Chatama making substitution as Matamando Matchipisa and Lovemore Mbeta replaced Safton Chimtokoma and Vincent Salawira.
In the 53rd minute Kadzongola came up with a brilliant delivery from a free-kick which caused havoc in Ekhaya’s defence, however, Ndhlovu’s header went wide for a goal-kick.
Another excellent pass from Mbeta to Billiat caught the visitors defence off-guard, but Billiat’s shot was saved by Mikuwa who guarded the sticks well for MAFCO in the 55th minute.
Mafco’s defending midfielder, Daudi Saiti was unfortunate in the 60th minute as his goal-bound shot hit Fanizo Mwansambo before being cleared away by Andrew Lameck. It was sent through Rodwell Robert into the box.
Moments later in the 65th minute, Rodwell Robert committed a foul on Alick Lungu within the defensive zone which resulted into a free-kick.
Happy Mphepo’s shot yielded nothing as the ball went direct into the palms of Christopher Mikuwa.
The effort of the home side, was answered in the 68th minute when Clever Chikwata put them in the lead with a powerful shot from a million-dollar pass by Hermas Kasinja as Mafco’s defence was completely outnumbered and outclassed by Ekhaya’s high pressing football into the offensive zone, and yes the home side led 1-0.
After conceding, the visitors almost replied too fast with a goal but it wasn’t to be as Robert’ shot inside the box was well saved by Amos Sande for corner kick which was wasted in the 70th minute.
In the 74th minute Stereo Gondwe Head Coach for Mafco made two changes as Awalu Alli and Dalitso Kanamwali Sato replaced Daudi Sauti and Prince Kachere. In 84th minute Robert Rodwell was replaced by Happy Mthunzi as the Soldiers kept searching for an equaliser, despite the effort the visitors did not get any reward.
Enos Chatama after sniffing a significant victory he made a professional delaying tactic in the 90+3 minutes as he introduced Joseph Saiwa for Lovemore Mbeta and moment later the final whistle was blown to mark the end of the match with the home side registering their eighth win in the first round and majestically moved to fourth position dislodging Blue Eagles FC.
Ekhaya’s James Lumbe was later voted player of the match. With the win rookies, Ekhaya have accumulated 26 points from 15 games played having won 8, drawn 2 and lost 5 and they finish amongst the top eight teams.
In a post-match interview Ekhaya head coach Enos Chatama was delighted to have collected maximum points though disappointed on how his charges missed scoring opportunities.
“We have missed a lot of chances but we are on a right direction and impressed with the way the boys played from the first to the last whistle. Mafco only played in the first 15 minutes and the game was in our hands but the only missing link is the scoring power.
“We will evaluate the squad and bring somebody who is good at scoring yes indeed I’m also concerned as coach in failing to convert the penalties we have had in this round but we hope to iron all the problems out in the second round”, said Chatama.
Mafco’s Stereo Gondwe attributed the defeat to poor officiation and pledged to continue working hard in the second round and move further on the log table.
“The boys played well today only the officiation somehow, let us down. Yes we created some chances but we were not composed enough on the goal, we’ll go back to rectify those weaknesses and bounce back stronger in the second round “, Gondwe said.
Mafco now sits on position 11 with 17 points from 15 games having won 5 drawn 2 and lost 8, scoring 14 and conceded 18 with goal difference of -4.
The team might be dislodged to 12th position if Chitipa United who plays Blue Eagles FC gets a win or a draw on Sunday at Chitipa Stadium.