When it rains in Africa some say it is a sign of good things to come, but on Saturday the rains were a bad omen for Civo United.
They suffered a 1-0 defeat to Azam Tigers, courtesy of Timothy Chitedze’s 75th minute free kick. It was a strike that broke the deadlock, the silence at the empty arena and momentarily Civo’s TNM Super League title pursuit.
Several things, including gambling in midfield fielding and a timid, and almost non-existent front line, left Civo’s championship title chase heavily compromised.
The only temporary relief for Civo was that another championship title chaser, Silver Strikers, also slipped to Mighty Wanderers by a similar margin in Lilongwe.
A hard won 3-1 triumph over Blantyre United last week, then a defeat to struggling Tigers; such has been the story of inconsistency, especially on the road for Alex Masanjala charges this season.
Masanjala’s late introduction of regular Patrick Gunde and Dave Ng’ambi succeeded in delaying Civo’s title dream in this game that did not live to its billing.
It was a typical case of Civo dominating the game, but Tigers having the last laugh.
Tigers coach Leo Mpulula’s introduction of Mapopa Msukwa, then Lumbani Munthali for Isaac Maluwa and Maxwell Mwanyongo respectively proved to be a masterstroke. The fielding of defender John Dzimbiri into defensive midfield role also minimised Civo’s midfield bite.
The first-half ended goalless in this match that featured two Onanis; Civo goalkeeper Onani Sengwa and Onani Juwayo for Tigers. Sengwa eventually saw danger inflicted by Chitedze.
Masanjala was left ruing lost chance through Raquub Milanzi and Ng’ambi’s unsuccessful attempts.
“It’s a big blow to our title chances as the loss reduces our maximum tally to 50 points, but we will keep on fighting,” Masanjala said in post-match interview.
In Mzuzu, Embangweni lost 4-2 to Blue Eagles while Red Lions defeated Zomba United 2-1 in other games on Saturday.
