Wa Ganyu

A late Raphael Phiri’s goal was the difference at Mzuzu Stadium to warrant Moyale Barracks maximum points in their opening game of the 2024 TNM Super League Season.

In a typical military clash, the game looked to be a physical one from the first whistle with both sides opting for long balls instead of a passing kind of football.

It was Mafco who slowly started taking control of the midfield which resulted in their attacking line enjoying a lot of supply.

At 36 minutes Bernard Chimaimba’s header from a Dan Chimbalanga corner kick dropped into the net. His goal will also go down in the books as the first goal of the 2024 TNM Super League season to be scored.

At half time the home team was still trailing with a goal to nil. Come second half, Mafco’s goalie Christopher Mikuwa tried some delaying tactics to slow the pace of the game as Moyale pushed for an equaliser.

Moyale were the first to make a change taking out Brown Maganga and Khumbo Mhone at 57 minutes for Chifundo Dampa and Prince Phiri.

Charles Nkhoma headed home a Maneno Nyoni’s free kick at 75 minutes following a foul on Raphel Phiri by Yohane Malunga to level the scores.

Two minutes into regulation time Raphael Phiri connected home a Chifundo Dampa’s cross to  give the home team the much needed lead in the game.

At the end of the game, assistant coach for Moyale Victor Chingoka said they featured a lot of new faces that delivered as this promises to be a tough season.

Mafco coach Stereo Gondwe faulted officiation: “If we will be playing against referees then we cannot grow the game in this country. We dominated in the first half, the mistake we made in the second half cost us but mainly because of the referees.”