Chauma outsmarts Mambelela
BAT Ground was on Wednesday the centre of interesting tactics by up-and-coming coaches Thango Chauma and Richard Mambelela.
Chauma’s substitutions proved a masterstroke as his BNC Produsak snatched a late 2-1 win over Mambelela’s Brave Warriors in the Peter Mutharika Southern Region Football League.
Parading a predominantly new squad, Warriors held BNC to a goalless first-half of the Premier Division duel.
The last half got off to a promising note for the Warriors who went ahead through a Harry Bikoko volley.
Warriors’ left-back Nelson Munthali and left-winger Daudi Subeni proved a thorn in the flesh for BNC whose efforts were further thwarted by goalkeeper Friday Kalonga’s telling saves.
But the complexion of the game changed after Chauma’s substitutions. He made the first substitution in the 70th minute and a left-flank looping cross had Justin Afilu glancing his header past badly positioned Kalonga.
But Afilu made the mistake of arguing when given instructions by Chauma who reacted by pulling the striker off for Godffrey Guzani. He needed his first touch of the ball to beat an ill-conceived off side trap and steal the winner in the 89th minute.
Last season, BNC started the season with a loss, finishing eighth whereas Warriors got off with three straight wins.
