Malawians made a midweek impact in the Absa South Africa Premiership as coach Kinnah Phiri eased relegation troubles whereas Gabadinho Mhango ended his four-game goal drought.
Kinnah steered his second from the bottom Free State Stars to 24 points from 26 games after beating the University of Pretoria, who featured Atusaye Nyondo, 1-0 at the Charles Mopeli Stadium where Moeketsi Sekola was the lone scorer.
Stars are level on points in the 16-member South Africa league with Esau Kanyenda’s Polokwane City who sit third from the bottom on a superior goal aggregate, despite falling 2-0 to second-placed Kaizer Chiefs. The Chiefs sealed the win through George Lebese and George Maluleka’s strikes at the Peter Mokaba Stadium.
“I am adamant that if we continue playing like we do we can surely avoid relegation and get good results. Luckily we have another home game coming next week against Tuks we really need to get maximum points and put pressure on the teams above us,” Kinnah told www.freestatestarsfc.co.za
In another match, Mhango netted his eighth league goal when his Bloemfontein Celtic, who also featured Limbikani Mzava, drew 1-1 with bottom-placed Golden Arrows who were without Peter Wadabwa. The winger Wadabwa is currently mourning the death on Monday night of his wife Chrissy Sitima in a car accident.
In Mozambique, Dangalira Mnelemba’s HCB Songo drew 0-0 with Textil do Pungue on Sunday to remain fourth in the 14-member league which Ferroviaro de Nampula of Foster Namwela lead on 12 points in four games.
Still in Mozambique, Maxaquene, employers for Malawian goalkeepers Simplex Nthala and Dave Mphaya, beat ninth-paced Costa Do Sol 1-0 with the losers parading Maupo Msowoya and Chimango Kaira. Maxaquene are second on 10 points followed by Liga Muculmana who are Zico Mkanda’s employers.
