Dominant Ayobe Stars wallop Barbados Socials

Ballistic and merciless in goals; this was the approach at SOS football ground in Lilongwe as Ayobe Stars carried their winning streak into last Saturday‘s 6-2 win against Barbados Socials.

Ayobe Stars, the Nation Publications Limited (NPL) Lilongwe Bureau football team, smarting from 5-2 and 7-2 victories, proved to be a side to watch.

Ayobe’s breakthrough came in the 25th minute when Billy Kachere dribbled past an on-coming defender and slotted the ball beyond Barbados goalkeeper Mathews Banda.

Though Ayobe enjoyed more ball possession with a series of attacks, Banda‘s brilliant saves robbed them of more goals in the first-half.

Barely two minutes into the second-half, Stanley Kabota, who had a frustrating first-half netted in the second goal from a rebound, before Emmanuel Mpotadzingwe reduced the arrears to 2-1.

After sensing danger, Ayobe‘s Mayeso Uliya, who came in for Billy Kachere, scored two other goals while Chikumbutso Topora further reduced the arrears to 4-2.

With 10 minutes before the end of the game, Ayobe substitute Watson Mkandawire came close to scoring on several occasions, but the woodwork and Barbados substitute goalkeeper Chifuniro Magaleta frustrated his efforts. Then, Uliya sealed Ayobe’s victory with two more quick goals.

Barbados captain Maxwell Mbuna blamed the loss on poor preparations.

“To be honest, this was not an easy game as we have stayed for quite a long time without playing together, which affected our system of play,” said Mbuna.

On his part, Ayobe coach Gerald Palana hailed his charges for the win.