BNC played with panache and spirit, but it was Bvumbwe who did what matters most—scoring through Raphael Mandanda and Vincent Chinthenga after break to keep Super League promotion prospect in sight.
On 82 points and two games remaining, Bvumbwe temporarily moved four points clear of second-placed Nchalo United who also have two games to go in the Southern Region Football League (SRFL) Premier Division.
With impressive BNC’s Assan Kazembe goalkeeping, the experience of Kennedy Tsekeleza (former Malawi Under-17 and Bata Bullets midfielder) and deadly composure on the ball, Bvumbwe looked disoriented and frustrated in the opening half.
Their coach Bob Mpinganjira’s half-time pep talk summed it all: “We need goals and we need the points and the fans also need the result but we have to be patient. If we allow desperation to get the better of us, this game will be difficult.”
A few metres away from Bvumbwe squad, BNC coach Thango Chauma, too, urged his players to be the last to panic as even a draw could be enough for them. At the open ground, perimeter fence were human beings estimated at 5 000.
And when the second half resumed, it was not too difficult to tell which team had a fruitful break time. The hosts defender Mandanda rose the highest to thump his header past Kazembe who had spilled a Chinthenga’s looping shot after 47 minutes.
One eventually became two as the former MTL Wanderers winger-turned-striker Chinthenga, after missing several chances alongside strike partner Mayeso Mphanje, tapped the ball into the net after BNC defender’s ‘miscued’ ball on a bumpy and sandy pitch.
Before Bvumbwe killed off the game, BNC players and coach Chauma openly protested what they felt was referee Sam Mangansanja’s bias towards the hosts.
Now Bvumbwe travel to the Kamuzu Stadium to face Evirom on Friday then host Changalume on Sunday. On Saturday, Nchalo will entertain Chanco then BNC on Sunday.
