Chilomoni bag bragging rights after surviving QPL’s late fight back

By Frank Mojah

A nervy end to the game, characters come into play as the Disciples, Chilomoni FC hang on to claim bragging rights in the Chilomoni Derby at Chilomoni Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

A bright start to the game with two goals in the first 17 minutes signaled that the visitors, Chilomoni FC would have an easy ride over their neighbors but they had to live within the skin of their teeth in the second half.

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Despite the hosts’ late fight back, Chilomoni FC managed to claim a 2-1 win, a result which has seen them continuing with their 100 per cent record in the Southern Region Division 1 Football League after five games.

The win pumps the Disciples to joint-top of the table with 15 points from five games, level with Catholic University FC who also have 15 from 8 games. After playing two back-to-back away games, the next game is likely to be at home.

Pumped by the positive start to the season, Chilomoni FC wanted to send a message to their neighbors, about the intention this season. Off the back of a 2-1 win over FOMO Reserve in Mulanje last week, Chilomoni FC needed another masterclass performance to pile pressure on the leaders, Catholic University FC.

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Head Coach, Steve Bakali wanted to see his team ticking against their cross-town rivals, and the players obeyed. Hot Patrick Mapunzi led the assault and he completed his brace just 17 minutes into the first half.

The Disciples started the game with guns blazing as Chifundo Missi Thoko Major and Mapunzi’s combination was putting the defenders for QPL All Stars on the edge of the knife.

After a long wait, the visitors took the lead after 14 minutes when he pounced on Peter Katandika’s defense-splitting pass as he thundered it beyond the keeper before doubling the lead three minutes later.

After going behind, the hosts tried to get into the game but goalkeeper, Bernard Makungwa was alert to thwart all their attempts. The hosts needed to make two changes in the first half to match Chilomoni’s intensity when Blessing Chapu and Bornface were introduced for Gift Chabwera and Cosmas Chimwaza.

Mapunzi thought that he had completed his hat-trick five minutes before the break but he was unfortunate to see his strike being ruled out for offside. Peter Katandika nearly extended our lead just before the break but his weak shot was easily tamed by the keeper.

After claiming a 2-goal advantage at the break, Chilomoni FC had to absorb the pressure from the hosts who were looking to record a stunning comeback and move into the top 5 but the defence was good enough to deal with any sort of danger despite conceding from 12 yards.

QPL All Stars had an early threat from free-kick but Major was called into action to head it away and the hosts also squandered another chance from the set-piece when they won a free-kick after Mphatso Paul was fouled close to the penalty area. Their dominance paid off in the 58th minute when the referee awarded them a penalty and our keeper did all what he could to stop it but eventually, he got beaten from the spot.

The goal gave the hosts a hope of comeback but Mike Kalema was a rock at the back. Hoping to defend the lead and find another goal at the same time, head coach, Bakali made double substitutions with Peter Katandika and Chifundo Misi pavingway for Henry Chikunje and Precious Maganga in the 62nd minute.

The disciples managed to hold on to the last minute meaning that Mapunzi’s brace was enough to get the win. This means that Patrick has scored 10 goals this season.