Karonga Winless Run Extends to Four as Chitipa Keep Five Straight Clean Sheets

Karonga United’s recent struggle in the TNM Super League continues after they were held to a goalless draw against rivals Chitipa United, extending their winless run to four at the Karonga Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

The team went into the match looking for a win after coming off two defeats and a draw in their previous three league matches but failed to score against their neighbours, recording their second draw of the season.

Meanwhile, it was a plus for Chitipa, who extended their unbeaten run to five matches and managed not to concede in all those games, whether playing at home or away.

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In a game of few chances, Chitipa looked brighter than Karonga in the first half. Andrew Joseph went close inside the opening five minutes, but his attempt went wide before Rajab Nyirenda sent a free kick wide in the 25th minute. Then Alfred Chizinga saw his header go wide after Zikani Mponda set him up on the half-hour mark.

In the second half, Karonga came strong as Allen Chihana’s shot narrowly missed the goal before MacLean Mwale brilliantly denied Mally Kasongo and Rajab Nyirenda in the 50th minute. Junior Chande and Sinto Chipole came in for Asimenye Nyirenda and Chizinga in the 62nd minute.

Saulos Moyo guided an on-target header from Chihana wide in the 69th minute before Farhad Mcheka and Peter Barry came in for Andrew Joseph and Kenson Mlenga. Nyirenda then had his free kick saved in the 85th minute, and Alick Austin replaced Zikani Mponda for Karonga, who could have snatched a late goal through Chipole, but his effort went wide.

Assistant coach for Karonga United, Crespo Chimkwita, said his team mostly needed a win but promised they would set things right soon to regain their form in the league.

“It was a tough game. As you know, our record with Chitipa is not good, so we came flat out to get a goal, but Chitipa is a good team. We managed to get a draw, which is not good because we wanted to get all three points,” said Chimkwita.

On his part, Chitipa United head coach Kondwa Ikwanga hailed both sides for playing good football and said he enjoyed watching the game.

“It was a tough game. We are coming from a win, and Karonga were coming from a loss, so they wanted to win and played good football to prove that their defeat was just a fluke. We also played well. It was a good game, and I enjoyed watching it,” said Ikwanga.

The result means Karonga are now 7th in the league with 17 points from five wins, two draws and four defeats, while Chitipa are 10th with 14 points from three wins, five draws and four defeats.