Lions suffer first defeat, Mafco win
Red Lions’ seven-game unbeaten run in ThumbsUp Southern Region Football Association (SRFA) League Premier Division came to a halt on Sunday with a 0-1 defeat to 12th-placed Steffords at BAT Ground in Blantyre.
However, despite the loss, the Malawi Defence Force (MDF) outfit is still at the summit of the log-table with 21 points from eight games, a point ahead of second-placed Sable Farming and two points above third-placed champions Nyasa Big Bullets Reserve and fourth-positioned Changalume Barracks, who are tied on 19 points.
Lions’ loss means Steffords, Changalume and fifth-positioned Wizards are the only outfits yet to lose a match in the 20-team regional competition.
On Sunday, Steffords striker Ntchindi Chikweza was the source of the Lions’ misery as he scored the lone strike following a goal-mouth scramble.
“Complacency killed us,” said Lions’ coach Nelson Chirwa.
In the Chipiku Stores Central Region Football Association (CRFA) League Premier Division, another relegated elite league MDF outfit Mafco remain at the summit of the 22-team log-table on better goal difference as they are tied on 12 points with second-placed Mbavi United.
Mafco thumped Chitedze Strikers 6-1 while Mbavi beat Support Battalion 1-0 and Jidi FC 3-1 on Saturday and Sunday, respectively.
Dedza Young Soccer dropped to third from second position after collecting three points from a possible six.
On Saturday, Dedza Young Soccer lost 2-1 to Lake Valley and on Sunday they recovered to beat Holy Cross Ambassadors by the same margin. They now have 10 points from five games.
Newly-promoted Jidi FC anchor the table without a point from three games.
In the Simama and Sons Northern Region Football Association (NRFA) League, there is a tight battle among the top three teams.
Leaders Ekwendeni Hammers, second-placed Hewe United and third-placed Lufita United are tied on 10 points from four games apiece.
Ekwendeni could have been untouchable at the summit of the 18-team log-table had they not settled for a one-all draw with Manyamula FC last weekend.
