Changalume frustrate Cobbe in SRFA League

Changalume Barracks FC on Monday beat fellow soldiers Cobbe Barracks 3-2 in a Southern Region Football Association (SRFA) Premier League match played at Zomba Community Centre Ground.

Call it greed for points in an all soldiers affair, but Changalume’s win has given Max Bullets the advantage to open a three-point lead at the top. Cobbe remain second with 62 points from 31 games played so far.

In what could be described as a physical match characterised by various degrees of injuries, the Zomba derby lived up to its billing. Barely three minutes into the game, Macloud Msusa put Changalume ahead with a simple lob over the poorly positioned Cobbe goalkeeper Gilbert Mkhuwa. However, the lead was short-lived as Andrew Malenga scored with a thumping header to make it 1-1.

Nonetheless, Changalume took the lead again in the 29th minute when Stevie Paundi scored with a scorching shot from a direct free-kick outside the goal area.

The introduction of Jossam Kholiyo and Isaac Vizyalona in the second half paid dividends for Cobbe as   McPeter Makwale levelled matters.

But in the dying minutes, a schoolboy error by defender David Gondwe gifted Changalume the third goal from the penalty spot. Gondwe handled the ball deliberately in the goal area, prompting referee Harrison Chiunda to point at the dreaded spot. Paundi made no mistake to score the winning goal.

“We prepared well for them and I am happy we have won,” said Changalume Barracks coach Nelson Chirwa. His counterpart William Chiwanda left the field in anger due to the loss. n