By Lusekero Mhango
KARONGA-(MaraviPost)-Blue Eagles FC came from behind to secure a hard earned point against TNM Super League title chasers Chitipa United in a thriller at the Karonga Stadium.
In a relentless encounter Eagles took the lead after only three minutes, when Kingsley Kuwali finished off a Maxwell Gustavo cross to silence a partisan home crowd.
However the home side hit back twice in a five minute spell to turn the game on its head.
First the visitors skipper Jacob Robert headed the ball into his own net after a teasing Christopher Lwemba right-wing cross in the 36th minute.
Jackson Beza completed the turner round in the 41st minute as he superbly curled in a 20 yard free-kick to send the home fans into pandemonium.
Eagles illustrating their positive approach to the match struck back in the 88th minute as second half substitute Hendrix Misinde equalized with a deft finish after being setup by Mark Lameck.
With the draw Chitipa United have dropped a place to fourth on goal-difference to Silver Strikers with both teams having amassed 43 points from 24 games, While Blue Eagles jump a place up in the standings to 11th with 31 points from 25 matches.
Meanwhile, in a post-match interview the away side’s assistant coach Christopher Sibale, said they were delighted to come away from a tough encounter with a share of the spoils.
“I thought we played a good game and getting a point was a good result for us here at a difficult venue where teams struggle to get even a point,” he said.
However Chitipa United coach MacDonald Mtetemera, bemoaned his charges lack of concentration to see out the game.
“I thought we did well to come from a goal down and take control of the match but a lack of focus late on to close out the game has cost us the crucial win that we merited,” explained a frustrated Mtetemera.
