Kamwendo steers Dedza to their first win in 2024 season

By Isaac Grant

Premier Bet Dedza Dynamos FC recorded their first TNM Super League win of 2024 when they defeated MAFCO FC 3-0 at Dedza Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

Andrew Bunya’s side secured the victory thanks to a first-half brace from Promise Kamwendo and an own goal by Ben Mbewe to break a four-match winless run in the league since the start of the season.

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They rose to 10th on the log. MAFCO FC, meanwhile, have gone five matches without a win and they are 15th with only points after playing five games.

Premier Bet Dedza Dynamos FC was the more enterprising team throughout the first half with Promise Kamwendo, Lameck Gamphani, and Marco Chiwaya combining well upfront as Ochaya Okoti Otim and Limbani Phiri commanded the midfield giving no chance to the likes of Wakisa Kalinga, Yohane Malunga and David Daudi to tick.

Dedza’s defense led by captain Justice Chihoma with Lughano Kayira shielding everything and the exciting Frank Chikufenji on the left and Khumbo Banda on the right-hand side made it tough for Mafco’s Mphatso Filimoni and Martial Maluwa who were so silent on the day giving their technical panel something to think about ahead of their next game against FCB Nyasa Big Bullets at Chitowe Stadium next weekend.

Premier Bet Dedza Dynamos FC were 2-0 up inside the opening quarter of the match forcing the Salima-based soldiers to make an early substitution taking out Wakisa Kalinga for captain Paul Ndlovu who improved Mafco’s game defensively though they conceded another goal in the 40th minute after his introduction.

As the soldiers were trailing 3-0 before halftime, Peter Kasonga and Stain Malata were introduced for David Daudi and Mphatso Filimoni two minutes before halftime but they failed to break Dedza’s defense with Donnex Mwakasinga between the goalposts having a holiday.

Andrew Bunya made some changes in the second half bringing in Joseph Balakasi and Edward Dakalira for Lameck Gamphani and Ibrahim Sadick before taking out the impressive Marco Chiwaya for Gift Magola who had his own chances in the dying minutes of the match but there were no more goals in the second half.

In his post-match interview, coach Andrew Bunya was a happy man that finally he had his first league win for the team.

“It was not an easy game because our friends were also looking for their first win of the season but I applaud my players for the job well done,” Bunya said.

He believes that’s what they have been lacking in the previous games and today’s win will motivate the team even more ahead of their next assignments.

Meanwhile, assistant coach for Mafco FC Jimmy Mzunga accepted defeat saying that Premier Bet Dedza Dynamos FC’s quick goals disturbed their game plan.

“We made some quick changes because of the early goals something that affected our game plan,” Mzunga said.

Premier Bet Dedza Dynamos FC will next travel to Blantyre to face Mighty Tigers FC.

Promise Kamwendo was named man of the match.