Airbase beat Ndirande Stars as battle for top four in SRFL Groups gets hot

By Frank Mojah Dzuwa

Zomba Airbase claimed a narrow 2-1 victory over Ndirande Stars on Monday afternoon to keep their hope of finishing in the top four alive in the Thumbs Up Southern Region Premier League at Kamuzu Stadium.

Alexander Dezi Jr opened the scores for the visitors after 28 minutes before Moses Nazombe extended the lead in the second half and Aubrey Masford’s strike in the 76th minute was not enough to rescue a point for the Ndirande-based side.

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The victory lifts Zomba-based Soldiers to 6th from 7th, leapfrogging Red Lions who suffered a 2-1 defeat on Sunday. Airbase have accumulated 9 points from four games while Ndirande remain 4th with 11 points from 7 games.

Gift Nyenyembe, Head Coach for Zomba Airbase said the players performed well and were not surprised with the victory. Kanyembe said the Soldiers are eager to push further from where they finished last season.

“We had good preparations, it was a good game and we are not surprised with the win. We were fast on the ball, we were playing a passing football, shooting and we were happy.

“In the 2024 season, we want to continue from where we finished last season. We finished fourth and we want to push further. People should have belief in us, they should expect a lot,” he said.

Louis Makansanje, Head Coach for Ndirande Stars accepted the defeat saying all is not lost and the team will bounce back after the setback.

“Yes, we accept the defeat because we failed to deal with their type of football. They were playing long balls and we couldn’t withstand. The team is still intact and we remain positive that we will do well this season.

“Our target is to remain in the top four. I have all the confidence that we will finish in the top four in this group and we will play in the knockout stages at the end of the season,” he said.

Off the back of a draw against Zingwangwa United, Ndirande hoped to bounce back with the backing of their fans at home when hosting the visitors, Zomba Airbase in their hunt for the points.

Airbase are in good form, losing just one game in their opening three matches before Monday’s fixture. After finishing four last season as they lost the semi-finals to Ntopwa FC before losing to FCB Nyasa Big Bullets Reserve in third place play-offs, the Zomba-based Soldiers are hoping to beat their last season’s achievement.

Early in the game, they showed their intention by knocking on Ndirande’s doors but the defenders for the hosts were steady and firm to deal with dangers. The search for the goal was over after 28 minutes when Dezi pounced on Martin Katema’s cross to thunder it home with a header beating Dingan Nakhama hapless in goals for the visitors to take the lead.

Despite taking the lead, Zomba Airbase were still searching for the second goal with Thomas Makombwa’s shot going wide. Taking a slender lead at the break, in the second half, the visitors doubled the lead in the 66th minute through Moses Nadzombe who beat the keeper from a 12-yard spot.

Ndirande Stars reduced the arrears in the 76th minute but their efforts towards the end of the game were not enough to salvage the point in a game that ended in defeat.

From the seven games that Ndirande have played, they have won three, losing twice and drawing twice. Machinga-based side, Ntaja United are leading the table with 16 points from 16 games while Changalume Barracks are second with 13 points from five games.

Zingwangwa United are anchoring the table with two points while White Eagles and Balaka FC also have two points each from 6 and five games respectively