Moyale Barracks forced a one-all draw with Azam Tigers at Mzuzu Stadium on Saturday to retain top place in the TNM Super League.
The Tigers opened the TNM Super League game with a stellar display, but their pounce was hardly sharp enough to deliver a killer blow on the Soldiers of Kaning’ina.
The opening 30 minutes of fast-passing football game gifted Tigers striker Bright Munthali a chance to drive a strike on Moyale goalkeeper McDonald Harawa and the long-range shot obediently flew past the Flames goalie in the 36th minute.
Having scored, Tigers maintained superior possession until the half-time break.
But Moyale returned for the second half with all guns blazing.
The soldiers, clad in their white-and green stripes, restored their grip on the topmost spot on the league table with a spate of long balls and high-speed passing that had Tigers players shaky, disjointed and precariously hanging on to their narrow lead.
Meanwhile, Moyale kept approaching Tigers’ den and knocking on their lowly defended goal.
And Lovemore Mitengo only needed 12 minutes in the dying half to plant a clinically taken free-kick into Tigers’ net.
Not only did the 30-yard lob put the two sides at par, but also resurrected Moyale’s hope of staying top with 37 points in 18 games.
After the equaliser, the army team’s search for a winning kick proved futile as the Tigers reorganised their defence leaving no room for the marauding soldiers.
Moyale coach Nicholas Mhango saluted his players, saying the result was not bad considering Azam Tigers is not a small team.
Tigers Coach Franco Ndawa was equally happy with the outcome.
