Sulumba sweeps all for BT United
Blantyre United’s Muhamad Sulumba made worst misses, authored two beautiful goals, then left Kamuzu Stadium with TNM Super League Man-of-the-match Award on Sunday.
With such a commanding showing, the burly striker had earned United their second win of the season. They lie 11th on eight points from eight games.
Evirom, who sunk to bottom on two points, replacing Mzuzu United after their first win when they beat Mafco 4-1 in Mzuzu the same day, proved to be a tough customer.
Nonetheless, it was United who had the cutting edge. Sparrow Msowoya grazed before Sulumba jumped the highest to sneak a header past Evirom goalkeeper Peter Petrol. Sulumba welcomed Maxwell Chirwa’s free kick on 13th minute.
It was a reward for United coach Elia Kananji’s tactical variation. He improvised left-back Thoko Stambuli into a midfielder to do the mopping whereas Peter Munthali replaced Carlington Misomali in goals.
The game remained open until Evirom captain Harold Zulu scored in the 31st minute through a penalty earned after his young brother Ongani was fouled by Osward Maonga.
Then Sulumba struck again. He blasted his hard and a low free kick past Evirom crumbling human wall on 55th minute. That was minutes after he made his second worst miss alongside Msowoya.
“The award is a big motivation as it is my first. Going forward, I think I need to be more patient before firing on target. I will continue to work extremely hard. I love this game,” said the 24-year-old Sulumba in a post-match interview.
Up the table, Blue Eagles are ahead on 20 points from nine games, four points ahead of Kamuzu Barracks (KB) who drew 0-0 with Civo United on Sunday. KB have played similar number of games.
Full results: Saturday: Red Lions 1 (Edwin Ng’oma) Azam Tigers 1 (Clement Ng’ombe); Moyale Barracks 0 Mafco 1 (Chifundo Phimba); Blue Eagles 3 (Japhet Mambelela, Charles Ngosi 2) Epac FC 1 (Ishmael Thindwa).
Sunday: Civo United 0 Kamuzu Barracks 0; Blantyre United 2 (Muhamad Sulumba 2) Evirom 1 (Harold Zulu); Mzuzu United 4 (Liston Sabuli, Peter Katsonga, Madalitso Phiri, Madalitso Kaonga) Mafco 1 (Jimmy Mzunga).
