Red hot Nkhoma draws KB near Silver

Red-hot Kamuzu Barracks forward, Zeliati Nkhoma, scored his 8th goal of the season and also won the Player of the Match award as Kamuzu Barracks claimed a hard-fought 2-1 win over Karonga United at the Civo Stadium on Thursday afternoon.

Nkhoma put the Soldiers ahead in the 15th minute before Hope Namadzunga doubled the scores two minutes ago with a header from a corner kick but Saulos Moyo put the game alive with a goal before halftime and a barren 45-minute sealed points for KB.

MORE NEWS FROM WAMPIRA

Head coach for Kamuzu Barracks, Charles Kamanga, diluted Karonga United for their perfect performance in the game and also hailed his boys for defending the entire game to seal the victory.

“I said already that it would be a tough game because Karonga lost to Silver Strikers so it was hard for them to return with zero so I should congratulate them, they played very well only that it was written that we would win this match.” Said Kamanga.

Meanwhile, Karonga United head coach, Oscar Kaunda, said his team conceded early goals and also missed a lot of chances but saw some positives in his team despite back-to-back losses.

“We have lost indeed maybe we conceded very early in the game so it seems hard to come back in the game but we really fought only that we missed a lot of chances, in the second half, they showed a fighting spirit as we told them but we still missed the chances. They are young boys, some are playing in the Elite League for the first time so they will soon deliver.” Said Kaunda.

The game started on a low note with both teams playing long balls and failing to unlock each other’s defense in the first 10 minutes but Blessings Mwalilino was denied by Hastings Banda with Saulos Moyo blasting the ball over the bar on the rebound in the 11th minute.

Nkhoma sent a powerful shot outside the box to open the scores in the 15th minute before Hope Namadzunga rose high to connect Gregory Nachipo’s corner kick to double the lead two minutes later and the visitors started to dominate with Saulos Moyo missing a glorious chance on the half-hour mark.

Boston Daniel narrowly missed his effort in the 32nd minute then Karonga United failed to utilize the back-to-back free kicks they were getting in KB’s half but Moyo pulled one back from a Mwalilino pass in the 44th minute to put the game alive for the second half.

Charles Kamanga introduced Ndaona Daisi for Redson Nkhoma at halftime then Karonga came strong as they sought an equaliser the hosts lived dangerously but Nkhoma missed a chance to increase their lead on the hour mark as McLean Mwale saved his effort.

Namadzunga and Gilbert Nkhokwe had their efforts missing the goal then Kennedy Mwakabaghe paved the way for Alfred Chizinga in the 76th minute and Obie Nkhoma replaced Mwalilino in the 84th minute for Karonga United but soldiers held on to their massive win.

The Soldiers have now cut the gap on Silver Strikers to just four points as they have 18 points from 9 games after winning five games, drawing thrice, and losing once in second position while Karonga remain 11th on the table with 9 points from 9 games as well.