Chifundo Ngapemba’s goal was invaluable as it sent Civil Service United to third place in the 2024 TNM Super League after beating Moyale Barracks 1-0 at Civo Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
With the game separated by smaller margins of ball possession, Civil Service United’s Abbas Makawa made triple changes at the exact hour-mark by introducing Chifundo Ngapemba, Christopher Gototo, and Samson Phiri for Mathews Hamuza, Lovemore Mbeta, and Festus Duwe.
The former Sable Farming striker needed just 10 minutes to get his name on the score sheet, giving the hosts their 6th win at home as they beat Dedza Dynamos, Mzuzu City Hammers, Chitipa United, FOMO FC and Baka City before Saturday’s fixture.
It was Moyale Barracks’ 5th defeat on the road after losing to FOMO FC, Karonga United, CRECK Sporting Club, and Mighty Waka Waka Tigers.
Civil Service United have stepped up on the ladder to third place after accumulating 34 points from 22 games while Moyale Barracks are 10th with 29 points from the same number of games.
Heading into the match, the Servants were eager to continue with their recent impressive run of results and stage a successful regent on the Lions of Kaning’ina who hammered Civil 3-0 in the first round.
Since losing to Mighty Mukuru Wanderers 1-0 at home in August, Civil Service United have stepped up, and they are unbeaten in their last four matches, including ending Dedza Dynamos’ 12-game unbeaten streak at home. They have just drawn one game against Mafco FC, beating Mzuzu City Hammers 3-0 at home, 1-0 at Dedza Stadium and their recent 1-0 over Moyale.
On the other hand, Prichard Mwansa’s side were looking for their first ever away win this season, hoping to complete a double over the Servants for the first time since 2016 when they claimed a 5-3 win at home before hammering the Servants 4-0 at Civo Stadium in the return fixture.
Playing at home with their fans around, Civil Service United were slightly better than the visiting side, Festus Duwe dragged his effort well wide from close-range before the hosts squandered another change from corner-kick.
Moyale Barracks were out of their cocoon, mounting pressure on Civil but finding a way through the hosts proved to be futile. Blessings, Juma thwarted an attempt from Lovemore Jere, who tried to drill a hammer shot from a free-kick.
Civil Service United had four corners as of 30 minutes but they utilized none of them. Blessings, Malinda agonizingly miscued his effort from inside the penalty area to the disbelief of the coach, and it was the last big chance of the first half.
Makawa tried to add power to his attacking prowess by hooking off five-time TNM Super League winner Righteous Banda for Hollace Mchoma at the restart.
Civil started as they did in the first half, forcing Moyale Barracks to concede a corner early in the last half, but the big opportunity landed on the feet of Khumbo Mhone who missed from an unmissable place, putting his ball shy of Juma’s sticks.
10 minutes after making triple changes, Civil Service United were ahead in the 70th minute when Ngapemba pounced on a blocked shot to fire his effort into the back of the net.
The visitors made triple changes in their quest to find an answer to the call by the hosts as Mphatso Katsonga
Prince Phiri and Raphael Phiri were introduced for Luke Chima, Khumbo Mhone, and Chifundo Damba.
However, the changes changed nothing on the results with Civil Service United claiming a narrow 1-0 win.
Abbas Makawa said collecting three points at home boosted their chances of finishing in a good position at the end of the season. “But we need to be much much creative to be winning games.
“For today, it was a tight game because Moyale are playing good football nowadays, and they beat us in the first round and the players really understood what we agreed before the game.”
On his part, Prichard Mwansa his charges failed to utilize the chances that they created in the game. “This is a painful result. We are disappointed, but we will work on this,” he said.
Civil Service United are facing Karonga United in their next game before taking on Silver Strikers in the Capital City Derby at Silver Stadium. They will take on CRECK Sporting Club after playing the Capital City Derby.
Moyale Barracks is travelling to Karonga to face Chitipa United before welcoming Kamuzu Barracks at home in their next two assignments.
In another game, Karonga United and Chitipa United shared spoils at Rumphi Stadium after a 1-all draw in a pulsating match.
Blessings Mwalirino scored just seven minutes into the game before Ramadan Ntafu cancelled it from the spot just before the break.
Karonga United were looking for revenge on their rivals after losing the first game in April this year, but Chitipa United, who are hunting for their survival, refused to bow down to the Ingwina, extending their unbeaten run in the fixture to four games (2W, 2D).
Oscar Kaunda was sent off in the first half for foul language on the officiating team, summing up the derby’s heat.
Benard Mwahimba, Karonga United team manager said it was a tough game because it was a derby game and accepted the result. “All in all we are happy with the results.
“It was a derby game and it was tough for a team to settle down. One point is very important for us,” he said
On his part, Chitipa United assistant coach, Gift Mkamanga said collecting a point away from home was a good result. “We are appreciating our players for the fighting spirit. This is our first time playing here at Rumphi Stadium this season and it was tough,” he said.
Karonga United have just lost one game out of 12, playing five draws. They are facing Mighty Mukuru Wanderers at home in their next fixture before travelling to Lilongwe to face Civil Service United.
Chitipa United are taking on Moyale Barracks at home but they will travel to Blantyre to face Mighty Waka Waka Tigers. With the draw, Chitipa United failed to dislodge FOMO FC from 13th place as they remain 14th with 18 points from 22 games. Karonga United are 8th with 30 points from 22 games.
Super League actions continue on Sunday with FCB Nyasa Big Bullets facing Baka City FC at Karonga Stadium and FOMO Football Club are welcoming Kamuzu Barracks at Mulanje Park Stadium.
