Nyasa frustrate Chikhwawa Utd

 

Peter Mutharika Southern Region Football League (SRFL) Premier Division leaders Chikhwawa United’s quest to extend their lead was frustrated by Nyasa United who held them to a 1-1 draw at BAT ground on Saturday.

A win would have seen Chikhwawa go 14 points clear at the summit of the table, but former Mighty Wanderers winger Tendai Mbisa’s late strike, cancelled Rankin Mwale’s first-half goal.

It was a thrilling encounter, befitting the relatively big turnout that came to watch the steam-rolling Shire Valley side, who sadly were not on song.

Chikhwawa now have 75 points from 30 games while their close contenders Cobbe Barracks, who were taking on White Bullets in Zomba yesterday, had 63 points from 28 games.

An exchange of beautiful passes involving Andy Chadewa and Joseph Kankhuni culminated in Mwale providing the final flourish for Chikhwawa to go into recess with a 1-0 lead.

However, inspired by Ganizani ‘Njoka’ Malunga and Elia Kananji, Nyasa came into the second-half with renewed purpose leading to the equaliser.

Chikhwawa’s director Owen Chomanika said a win could have boosted their chances of winning the championship.

“It was a tough game, but we struggled to play our usual game. Now we have to ensure that we win most of our remaining games in our quest for Super League promotion,” said Chomanika.

Third-placed Zomba United beat White Eagles 4-2 in Zomba to take their tally to 60 points from 29 games.

Following his mid-week hat-trick, Chadewa has overtaken Green Hawks’ Andy Kamulete as the leading scorer with 22 goals. Kamulete has scored 21.