Bvumbwe Research did their TNM Super League survival hopes a favour in winning 1-0 while doing injustice to Red Lions’ title prospects at Kamuzu Stadium on Chilembwe Day.
Against the tide of the game, Bvumbwe sneaked in the winner through Titus Banda on the stroke of half-time. With the win, the rookies jumped a place up to position 13 on 21 points from 24 games.
Banda scored, but, once again, it was man-of-the-match Ibrahim Sadiki who stole the show on this lazy afternoon. His rebound was blocked then spilled by a Lions defender for Banda to fire hard, low and wide of the reach of goalkeeper Jacob Kaunda.
Bvumbwe scored at a time when they struggled with the soldiers’ energetic runs which were rendered useless by stiker Boniface Kaulesi’s one-one-one wastage in the early stages of the game before Mphatso Ngwira had his effort ruled offside.
The Bob Mpinganjira side still survived largely due to their goalkeeper and captain Ndaziona Mamu’s countless double saves and good sense of positioning. Then to sum up the Lions’ wastefulness, Kelvin Katema in either half headed over the bar from the goalline, much to the disbelief of the crowd.
With Kabwafu United, who lost 3-0 to Epac FC also on Tuesday, definitely down and out, Bvumbwe’s survival battle is now against fellow rookies Kamuzu Barracks and Escom United who slumped to 4-0 to Azam Tigers. Escom slipped to 14th place on 19 points from 22 games.
The squads were as follows: Bvumbwe Research: Ndaziona Mamu, Wisdom Mizeye, Raphael Mandanda, Bonda Mpinganjira, Alick M’madi, Ben Mbewe, Simon Sikwese, Titus Banda, Ibrahim Sadiki, Mayeso Mphanje, Vincent Chinthenga. Red Lions: Jacob Kaunda, Gibson Nkhonjera, Innocent Mlima, James Chirwa, Kelvin Katema, Chikoti Chirwa, Thomas Makombwa (Dixon Mbetewa Jnr), Mphatso Ngwira, Kumbukani Mwambeni, Boniface Kaulesi.
