“Motivated” Hammers fight back to salvage a point in Mzuzu Derby against Moyale

Khumbo Mhone’s opportunistic strike from Mzuzu City Hammers’ defence scramble sent the Lions of Kaning’ina into a feral celebration but that didn’t age well as the Iron Boys jumped up to fade it away.

Isaiah Nyirenda benefited from Chimwemwe Chunga’s defense-splitting pass to draw the Green City Derby to a third consecutive draw as two previous meetings ended in dry draws.

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Moyale Barracks remain unbeaten at Mzuzu Stadium in their previous five games while Hammers are unbeaten in their last eight home matches.

Hammers being at home, started the game with glitters of brilliance with Wongani Lungu, Samuel Amos, and Chimwemwe Chunga overpowering Moyale’s two-man midfield. Hammers move to second with the draw but they have missed the chance to stay within a point behind the dreaming Silver Strikers. Moyale Barracks have collected 8 points, a positive route compared to their last season’s campaign.

Both Coaches decided to go for a 4-2-2 formation but Hammers off the ball featured a 4-3-3 with Chunga leaving his line to add numbers in the middle of the pitch.

“Of course, the sponsorship from Betika Malawi is motivating us, we want to be among the teams to play the Top 8 football next season,” Vice Captain, Lungu told Wa Mpira after the game when he collected Chunga’s man of the match award as the winner was taken to the hospital after a head collision.

Silky play, Hammers invaded Moyale’s defence but the effort from Chunga was thwarted by Simeon Harawa who was well-placed. The Soldiers missed two chances from set-pieces with Maneno Nyoni sending his free-kick into the air and Hammers were called to deal with Mhone’s corner just inside the first 20 minutes.

A tight Derby, Moyale Barracks could have won it late but Victor Mwale was in disbelief to head his effort over the bar, he wondered how it stayed out.

Luke Chima made his first start but his combination with Raphael Phiri couldn’t work out. Phiri drafted himself to the wings to find shooting spaces with the paralyzed midfield.

Davie Chinoko arguably controlled the flare and tempers of the derby. Moyale Barracks stole the lead just four minutes into the second half as Hammers’ defence failed to clear the ball from Clifford Chimulambe’s ball. The attempted clearing effort hit Mhone for it to land into the empty net as the Lions took the lead.

Players converged at the corner to celebrate their goal, they hoped to record their third Derby win but Hammers hammered back. A well-orchestrated move, a class assist, a beautiful goal. Chunga who wore the armband in place of injured Yasin Rashid started off the move in midfield, and poked forward before finding Chunga who drafted himself to the number 10 position, the midfielder split Moyale’s back wall to find Nyirenda whose lofted effort beat Harawa to deny him his third cleans-heat of the season.

Prichard Mwansa is in Mafco FC’s books who are yet to clear him, he seemed frustrated with giving advice from terraces. Victor Chingoka was the recipient of tactical advice from the head coach. Charles Nkhoma started as an attacking player, he was a defending midfielder in the last minutes of the game allowing Chimulambe to move further up the pitch. Mwale wore the armband, he was frustrated by his miss from close range with the clock ticking.

Moyale Barracks will be looking to bounce back to winning ways after recording their second consecutive draw. They played a barren draw against Dedza Dynamos. Their next games will be played at Mzuzu Stadium against Chitipa United, Baka City, Karonga United, and FCB Nyasa Big Bullets in that order if nothing changes from “accommodative” Super League of Malawi, Sulom. They are fifth with 8 points from 5 games.

Hammers will face Kamuzu Barracks next week before travelling to Mulanje to face FOMO FC, and they will return home with a fixture against Mighty Mukuru Wanderers.