Flames legend Ernest ‘Wire’ Mtawali made a perfect start as Creck Sporting Club coach by leading the team to its first win in the FDH Bank Premiership on Sunday night at Bingu National Stadium in Lilongwe following a 3-1 victory over Masters FC.
Prior to the match, the Lilongwe-based side was the only team in the league yet to register a win.
It was also the first home defeat for Masters FC.
However, Mtawali, who was hired alongside assistant coach Gerald Phiri and physical trainer Fischer Kondowe, downplayed the win in an interview yesterday, saying they cannot get carried away by a single positive result.
The former Flames coach, who replaced Eliah Kananji a week ago, said: “We still have some way to go because we need to get out of the relegation zone. So, there is a lot more we have to do.
“But the win was vital in terms of boosting the players’ confidence. They fought hard and they deserve all the credit.”
The win saw Creck Sporting moving two steps up from the bottom to 14th with five points from seven matches.
Goshen City Dedza Dynamos anchor the 16-team league with four points. They are tied on points with Lilongwe-based Kamuzu Barracks, but separated by goal difference.
Creck Sporting led 2-0 at half-time through Ramadhan Ntafu and an own goal by Miracle Gabeya. Harvey Nasiyaya added the third, but the hosts pulled one back through Patrick Phiri.
Masters FC coach Peter ‘Mjojo’ Mponda said they failed to utilise the chances they created, especially in the second half.
“The way we conceded the three goals was also frustrating, but we are a new team and we are still working on combinations. We will get it right as we go,” he said.
Masters FC are sixth with 12 points from seven matches.
The start of the second half was delayed due to power failure.
