CRECK crack Mafco as Mtetemera finds life

CRECK Sporting Club staged an indelible comeback on Saturday afternoon as they beat Mafco FC 2-1 at Chitowe Stadium to give life to warned Macdonald Nginde Mtetemera who was under pressure to get the result.

The hosts scored first through Peter Kasonga but second-half goals from Gift Kadawati and Yasin Chida were enough for the Lilongwe-based side to return home with 3 points from Dwangwa.

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The win powers CRECK to 8th on the table with 14 points and they leave Mafco FC just a step above the relegation zone.

After morale-milking results in their previous matches, CRECK Sporting Club were under pressure to perform, prompting the owner, Apostle Kawinga to warn the coach.

In a letter dated 29th May 2024 addressed to the coaching staff, Patron of the Club, Apostle Kawinga described the recent team’s results as “not satisfactory as of late”.

“Following a thorough assessment, it has been decided that a disciplinary action in the form of a written letter be issued to you, the coaching staff. For the next three games, the team must secure a minimum of 7 points, failure to do so, will result in further disciplinary action which may include dismissal from your positions,” reads the letter in part.

CRECK Sporting had a mountain to climb as they had to halt Mafco FC’s two-game winning streak. Mafco FC won against Bangwe All Stars before beating FOMO FC but they saw CRECK mounting an intense pressure on them.

The visitors started on a high note, pinning the hosts to their own half but against the run of play, Mafco FC stunned Creck just 14 minutes into the first half.

Soon after George Chaomba squandered a big chance for CRECK, Mphatso Kasonga capitalized on the defensive debacle to capture the moment.

CRECK Sporting Club battled back from an early setback but their attempts in the first half were thwarted. Frankie Phiri was denied by Christopher Mikuwa from a free kick and Phiri agonizingly rifled wide again after being tipped by Dalitso Nahipa in the penalty area.

The hosts saw their celebration halted by the assistant referee’s flag as Innocent Makawano beat the keeper to stab home the second goal for Mafco but it couldn’t stand.

CRECK Sporting Club nearly equalized just before the break but Duncan Mwale cleared the ball before it crossed the line for the hosts to take a slender lead at the recess.

Macdonald Nginde Mtetemera was eager to turn things around and he made three changes at halftime, Stain Patrick, Frank Phiri, and Babangida Ishaya.m were all rested for Harvey Nasiyaya, Gift Kadawati, and Tathedwa Willard.

In a blazing second half, CRECK blazed, they found an equalizer six minutes into the game. Substitute, Gift Kadawati brought life to Nginde as he thundered home George Chaomba’s ball.

The three changes that Nginde made ignited the game for CRECK and Tathedwa Willard fired wide from close-range. Mafco FC sweated to come back into the game and Hadji Wali made a tremendous block to deny the hosts from restoring the lead.

Another substitute, Yasin Chida grabbed the winner for the visitors just three minutes before the final whistle for CRECK to record their fourth win of the season.

Macdonald Kumwembe m, Assistant Coach for Mafco FC said FOMO FC disturbed them with their play but hopefully the team will return back to winning ways.

“League is a marathon, we will drop points, we will gain points. We have lost the game, we have to accept and we need to rectify where possible so that we bounce back in our next game,” he said.

Nginde Mtetemera said bagging home their first win excited him and acknowledged the players for sticking to the game plan.

“We still have more to do for us to continue winning games. Am happy that we have grabbed three points in an away game. We wanted to have more ball players in the second half and we brought them, the game changed,” he said.