Saviel’s brace downs “crying” Chitipa

Emmanuel Savieli scored a second-half brace plus a man-of-the-match performance to seal maximum points for the Civo servants thanks to a 3-1 victory over Chitipa United at the Karonga Stadium on Friday afternoon.

The hosts arrived at the pitch despite making a heavy protest that they would boycott the match and had hopes of fighting for a win after Lamson Lukali canceled out Righteous Banda’s first-half goal but Savieli came with two goals to move top of the scoring chart with 6 goals.

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Head coach for Civo United, Abbas Makawa, praised his boys for not giving up in the game and managing to win the game.

“It was a good game though our friends wanted to disturb us in the first 25 minutes after that, we started dominating then no wonder we found a goal before half time than in the second half, we let in an easy goal but we told them to continue pressurizing then we got those two goals.” Said Makawa.

Meanwhile, Macnerbert Kadzuwa, the man in charge of Chitipa United, said it was not their day as they had accepted the defeat.

“Yes we have lost but I think the boys showed a heart that they want to win because they started very well then we started losing the balls cheaply in the midfield hence we conceded the goals.” Said Kadzuwa.

The hosts looked hungry just after the first whistle as Ramadan Ntafu shot wide in the second minute while Rahaman John denied Jack Beza from a free kick in the 7th minute then Righteous Banda had his shot straight to Barton Silavwe in Civo’s first attempt in the 15th minute.

Charles Mafaiti had two chances missed before half-hourhour mark then Steve Saka missed a glorious chance with the goalkeeper to beat as he sent his effort wide in the 42nd minute and Banda sent a powerful shot in the added time to put Civo ahead.

Savieli sent his effort straight to Silavwe two minutes into the second half then Beza’s corner kick was headed in by Lamson Lukali for an equaliser in the 53rd minute then Rajab Nyirenda was introduced for Gideon Sululu for the hosts.

Savieli headed in from Chikaiko Batson’s ball in the 65th minute to restore the lead before being denied by Silavwe 7 minutes later but sent a powerful shot after being set by Muhammad Biason to extend the lead in the 74th minute. Bright Masebo and Dumisani Jere replaced Steve Saka and Blessings Joseph for Chitipa while Yankho Billiat and Patrick Phiri came in for Blessings Malinda and Chikaiko Batson for Civo but the visitors went on to claim the win.

The Civo servants have now moved from 9th to 6th on the log table as they have 11 points from 8 games having won three games, drawn twice, and lost three times while Chitipa is stuck in the relegation zone with 5 points from 8 games in position 14.

Games continue over the weekend as Mzuzu City Hammers welcome Mighty Mukuru Wanderers at the Mzuzu Stadium, Silver Strikers host Karonga United at the Silver Stadium, MAFCO plays FOMO at the Chitowe Stadium, and Creck Sporting Club travel to Karonga to play Baka City on Saturday.

On Sunday, Mighty Waka Waka Tigers are at home to Kamuzu Barracks at the Kamuzu Stadium while Dedza Dynamos play Bangwe All Stars at the Dedza Stadium, and on Monday Moyale Barracks entertain FCB Nyasa Big Bullets.