Civo chalk first win in TNM Super League
C ivo United on Sunday chalked their first TNM Super League victory of the season and could not have been sweeter than ending their winless run against their capital city rivals Silver Strikers at the latter’s backyard—Silver Stadium.
Relief was the prevalent emotion in Civo camp after the final whistle as they have moved a step up from the bottom of the table.
They now have six points just like Fisd Wizards FC, who now anchor the table due to an inferior goal difference. The result means defending champions Big Bullets have maintained a five-point lead at the summit of the table with 26 points. Civo United put up a superb performance and it took them 32 minutes to draw first blood through captain Emmanuel Zoya’s bicycle kick and the visitors went into the second half with a slender lead. The civil servants were dominant in all departments and they forced the Bankers into rearguard action with beautiful pass-and-move football which thrilled their long-suffering fans. The pressure was so intense and relentless that Silver panicked and conceded a penalty in the 73rd minute. Silver captain Lucky Malata was the villain, tripping Civo’s forward Charles Chilembo in the box. Nelson Kangunje was so composed from the spot-kick sending Blessings Kameza, in goals for Silver, the wrong way.
A visibly relieved Civo coach Oscar Kaunda said: “We played well and deserved to win. It was a great win and thoroughly deserved.” His Silver counterpart Stein Chirwa was gracious in defeat. “They were the better team. We struggled a lot and could not find rhythm,” said Chirwa. In other matches, Red Lions drew 1-1 against Dedza Young Soccer Stars. Lions scored through Ndaona Limbani while Henry Misinjo replied for Dedza whereas Kamuzu Barracks beat Azam Tigers 1-0 courtesy of Harvey Nkacha’s strike. In Mzuzu, Moyale Barracks FC failed to utilise home ground advantage when they were held to a goalless draw by Mafco at Mzuzu Stadium.
