- As Eagles reclaim their nest
Football enthusiasts had a full dose of entertainment in TNM Super League week nine as 25 goals were scored in 10 games played at the weekend nationwide.
On Sunday’s five matches produced 15 goals while Saturday matches had 10.
Blue Eagles reclaimed the top position after a dramatic 5-3 victory over resilient Savenda Chitipa United in an eight-goal thriller at a fully-packed Karonga Stadium.
Unlike on Saturday when Eagles struggled to score in their 1-0 loss to Karonga United at the same venue, on Sunday’s match produced all the thrills as they scored five goals.
But Chitipa matched the police outfit pound-for-pound as they responded swiftly to the visitors’ goals with impunity before succumbing to the loss.
In-form winger Micium Mhone put Eagles in the lead in the 25th minute, before Shelton Banda equalised for Chitipa from the spot.
But Mhone restored the lead in the 40th minute for the first-half to end 2-1.
Five more goals rained in the second-half.
Chitipa levelled again in the 50th minute through Tinkhani Nyirenda when Eagles least expected it.
But Stuart Mbunge restored Eagles’ lead in the 65th minute.
More drama followed as Chitipa yet again equalised through Slick Chiona.
At the end of the day, experience proved vital for Eagles as Mbunge netted the fourth goal in 75th minute before Schumacher Kuwali wrapped up the day with a fine finish in added-on time.
Eagles are tied on 17 points with Kamuzu Barracks, but top the table with a better goal-difference.
At Kamuzu Stadium, Ntopwa United massacred fellow rookies Mlatho Mponela 5-1.
Josaya Duwa scored a brace while Mphatso Magaleta, Tione Jailosi and Arthur Mofati scored a goal each.
Frazer Menyani scored Mlatho’s consolation.
Mlatho coach George Zulu blamed the loss on poor officiation.
Ntopwa technical director Isaac Osman said their mission was to win all games against fellow minnows.
“If we lose, then it should be against big teams,” he said.
In Mzuzu, Mzuni FC frustrated Nyasa Big Bullets from becoming the first team to collect maximum points away from home after a goalless draw in tense encounter.
The draw was a relief for Mzuni coach Gilbert Chirwa as his team perched on position 14 on the table.
But for Bullets it was a case of two points lost for coach Callisto Pasuwa after the defending champions collected maximum points on Saturday in a 2-0 victory over Moyale Barracks.
Unlike on Saturday when Bullets were gifted an own-goal from Moyale before Precious Phiri doubled the lead, Mzuni did not give Bullets any chance.
Pasuwa in a post-match interview said more needs to be done.
“We wanted to collect full points today but that did not happen. We played well only that we failed to score,” he said.
Chirwa said the results was not bad.
“It is good that we have managed to collect a point. To be frank, Bullets are a big team,” he said.
Bullets are now fifth with 14 points from seven games just two points behind rivals Be Forward Wanderers who are third.
TN Stars, who beat Civil Sporting 1-0 at Dedza Stadium through China Chirwa goal, are fourth with 16 points.
Masters Security were held to a goalless draw by Mighty Tigers at Dedza Stadium.
