Officiation “cries” resurface as Moyale, and Dedza settle for a point

New season, new sponsorship package from “always with you” but Mzuzu Stadium reverberated the same “chronic” weeping as Moyale Barracks and Dedza Dynamos settled for a goalless dead heat.

Andrew Bunya couldn’t lock up his vexation at full-time when his team was unsuccessful again in another league game. Their awful run of results has hit another unwanted record as they have just recorded one win in their last 10 games.

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“We did everything to win the game but the referee didn’t want us to win. He failed to give us a penalty and some of his decisions were questionable, for today, they have discharged their duties properly,” ranted Bunya.

Assistant Coach, Luke Bruno Milanzi was captured consistently exchanging words with the assistant referee, Clemence Kanduku, and one of Dedza’s players who was on the bench was “reasonably” booked for ranting onto the referee, Waliko Simfukwe for denying them a penalty.

Prichard Mwansa distanced himself from commenting about the officiation saying they [referees] are the ones who know their duty better.

“It’s not our duty, they [referees] know their duty well. We have the responsibility of coaching our players not referees,” he said.

Despite inconsistent officiation, both Dedza Dynamos and Moyale Barracks had chances of winning the game as it was an open game of chances with no team using a low block.

Andrew Bunya’s men are still searching for the win but have avoided defeat in three games with only Civil Service United amassing all the points. The Lions of Kaning’ina seem to be taking the right direction as they have managed to get seven points from their opening four games and are undefeated at home.

The yellow and black-attired team will now shift their attention to the next game as they welcome Mafco FC at a venue that they have only lost once in their last 11 matches while Moyale are going into a derby week as they face second-placed Mzuzu City Hammers.

Profligacy frustrates both Moyale and Dedza

In a game of each half, Raphael Phiri, and Emmanuel Allan all were in promising positions to do the damage to the visitors, Promise Kamwendo, Alex Benson, and Lameck Gamphani all could have stunned the hosts, a see-saw game.

Off the back of a 1-all draw against Silver Strikers, Andre Bunya picked another strong team with Promise Kamwendo leading the attack as he was flanked by Marco Chiwaya and Lameck Gamphani. Moyale Barracks were coming from a convincing 3-0 win over Civil Service United and Mwansa.

Roared by the home fans, the hosts started the game on a high note but Dedza’s Central defenders playing in Bunya’s 3-4-3 formation were equally alert to thwart all the attempts from Raphael Phiri and his co.

After failing to open Justice Chihoma’s led defense the hosts had chances of taking the lead from set-pieces, thanks to their profligacy. Charles Nkhoma whipped in the corner targeting the towering Phiri but the ball landed on to the feet of Khumbo Mhone who was too late to tap it home with Frank Chikufenji coming into Dedza’s rescue by making an excellent interception.

Moyale Barracks nearly took the lead when Chifundo Damba’s goal-bound effort was cleared just before it crossed the line by Lughano Kayira. Khumbo Mhone was in the thick of action but he couldn’t direct his looping header into the back of the net after latching on Damba’s ball from the left flank.

Dedza Dynamos were limited to making attacks in the game and Moyale’s goal-keeper, Jeremiah Sinfukwe had a holiday in the first half. Ibrahim Sadik was called in for Chimwemwe Yasini as Bunya wanted to add more creativity in midfield. A goalless first half gave the managers of the two teams something to talk about at the recess.

As Bunya highlighted in his post-match interviews, Dedza wanted to hold Moyale in the first half before attacking them in the last half of the game.

The visitors were biting in the second half but they couldn’t beat Simfukwe, leaving the team with only two goals in four matches.

Otchaya Okot controlled the midfield giving the chance to Gamphani, Kamwendo the edge to burst into Moyale’s half. Alex Benson’s introduction upped the game.

Charles Nkhoma and Clifford Chimulambe were all silenced in midfield with Otchaya hitting the ground and protecting his back-three men. The paralysis of the midfield forced Phiri, and Damba to drop deep in midfield sourcing the ball.

Promise Kamwendo played a super pass to Lameck Gamphani who was unmarked in the penalty area, the number 7 tried to unleash a good shot but Moyale’s defender put his foot to block the ball which was longing for the goal.

Moyale Barracks responded with a counterattack move and they won a free-kick on the left flank but Dedza averted the danger with Otchaya using his height to clear it away.

“We couldn’t utilize the chances that we created, we came out to attack in the second half but we failed to utilize those chances,” admitted Bunya after the game.

The team created two back-to-back chances Promise Kamwendo’s hammer shot has been blocked by Moyale’s defenders and the arms went up as Dedza appealed for a penalty but the referee paid a deaf ear in the 57th minute.

Ibrahim was in the thick of the action as he invaded Moyale’s half on the right flank before combining with the right back, Khumbo Banda who put the ball in but nobody in a yellow shirt tapped it in, so close

On an afternoon of an end-to-end game, Moyale Barracks launched an attack through Raphael Phiri who faced the keeper but his attempt went just wide. Khumbo Mhone came with another good cross but Allan headed it over the bar from close range. Raphael Phiri sneaked into Dedza’s defense before firing his effort over the bar, he opted to use his left foot.

Bunya seem to be satisfied with a point in Mzuzu as he opted to hook off Gamphani for Joseph Balakasi, Moyale nearly stubbed home but Mwakasinga was alert to thwart Luke Chima’s long drive.

Dedza had another penalty appeal 10 minutes before the end of the game, Promise Kamwendo released Alex Benson down the right flank who charged into the penalty area, he beat the defender before going down, but his penalty appeal couldn’t change the referee’s decision and instead he was booked for diving.

Raphael Phiri came close to winning it for the hosts but his left-footed effort flew over the bar for points to be shared.

Moyale Barracks are 6th on the table with seven points from four games while Dedza Dynamos are fourth from bottom with three points.