Ntafu header secures crucial win for Creck Sporting as Ten-man Karonga fall

Ramadan Ntafu’s 13th-minute header proved decisive as Creck Supporting claimed a vital 1-0 victory over Karonga United at Aubrey Dimba Stadium, lifting the hosts to 10th place in the TNM Super League standings with 30 points from 24 matches.

The result was sealed by Lovemore Ngolombe’s 56th-minute red card, which left the visitors battling with ten men for over half an hour and ultimately unable to find the equalizer their enterprising play had threatened.

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Both sides started with intensity, probing for weaknesses in what promised to be a closely fought encounter. Karonga nearly struck first when Charles Luhanga unleashed a fierce shot in the 7th minute, forcing the Creck goalkeeper into a spectacular save.

The warning went unheeded. Six minutes later, Creck took the lead through a well-worked set piece. Frank Phiri’s pinpoint delivery found Ntafu unmarked in the box, and the striker made no mistake with a powerful header that gave the Karonga goalkeeper no chance.

Buoyed by the breakthrough, Creck dominated the following period, winning a series of corner kicks that tested Karonga’s defensive resolve. The visitors’ backline stood firm, clearing each delivery to keep the deficit at one.

As the half progressed, momentum shifted. Karonga grew into the game and began to assert control around the 36th minute, pushing players forward and creating half-chances in search of a leveler. However, Creck’s defensive organization proved difficult to breach, and the hosts carried their slender advantage into halftime after three minutes of added time.

Creck manager made immediate changes at the interval, withdrawing Arnold Kiyama and Jackson Beza for Stain Patrick and Hassan Hussein. The substitutions added fresh legs and physicality to the midfield battle.

The game’s intensity increased, boiling over in the 52nd minute when Karonga’s Innocent Chitete received the match’s first yellow card for a foul on Hussein. It was a sign of mounting frustration from the visitors.

Karonga continued to press with purpose, enjoying sustained periods of possession as they sought to unlock Creck’s defense. Their build-up play was often intricate and promising, but the final ball consistently eluded them.

The match swung decisively in the 56th minute. Ngolombe, perhaps overeager in his pursuit of the ball, launched into a reckless challenge on Ntafu. The referee had no hesitation in producing a red card after the player accumulated two yellow cards, leaving Karonga to fight with ten men for the remaining 34 minutes plus stoppage time.

The numerical disadvantage immediately showed. Creck began to control possession and territory, forcing Karonga into a deeper defensive shape.

Head coach Oscar Kaunda responded with a double substitution in the 62nd minute, bringing on Benjamin Mapunda and Sinto Chipole for Kennox Kiwambe and Yusuf Asidala in an attempt to reorganize. Three minutes later, Tamabala Mwale entered for Michael Maliri as Karonga sought fresh attacking impetus.

Despite their disadvantage, the visitors showed commendable fighting spirit. They continued to create opportunities and refused to surrender, maintaining their attacking ambitions even as tired legs and the numerical deficit began to tell.

Creck made their own tactical adjustments, introducing Gift Kadawati for Patrick Macheso in the 65th minute. Ten minutes later, double substitution saw Kondwani Chilembwe and George Chaomba replace goal scorer Ntafu and Hussein, as the hosts looked to see out the victory.

Karonga made a final roll of the dice, sending on Madalitso Banda and William Mwalwimba for Mapunda and Robert Luhanga. The changes injected some late energy, but Creck’s defense, now organized primarily to protect their lead, held firm through the final exchanges.

Four minutes of stoppage time offered Karonga one last opportunity. They pushed bodies forward desperately seeking a dramatic equalizer, but Creck’s defensive discipline never wavered.

The match ended in controversy in the 93rd minute when Kaunda was shown a red card from the technical area for directing abusive language toward the referee, capping a frustrating afternoon for the visitors.

What It Means

The victory represents a significant boost for Creck Supporting, whose climb to 10th position with 30 points from 24 matches provides crucial breathing room in their fight for league survival. The three points could prove vital as the season enters its closing stages.

For Karonga United, the defeat will sting particularly given their competitive performance for much of the match. The red card ultimately proved their undoing, though questions will be asked about their inability to convert possession and chances into goals even before Ngolombe’s dismissal.

Both managers will have contrasting emotions to process, but Creck can celebrate a hard-fought victory built on defensive solidity and capitalizing on their numerical advantage when it mattered most.