The relegation fight in the TNM Super League is heating up, as Mighty Tigers and MAFCO played out a tense 1-1 draw at the Mpira Stadium on Sunday afternoon, leaving both sides firmly in the drop zone danger.
The game was a classic tale of two halves. MAFCO dominated the early exchanges, taking the lead in the 32nd minute through Auspicious Kadzongola‘s well-taken free kick. The visitors held this advantage until the second half when the Kaukau boys (Tigers) responded with a deserved equalizer from Masambiro Kalua in the 65th minute, securing a vital point for both teams.
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The opening stages were cagey, marked by a lack of cohesion and accurate passing from both sides. Early chances were limited: Francis Black’s free kick went straight to Tigers’ keeper Lucky Tizola, and Daudi Saiti sent a shot wide around the 26th minute. MAFCO broke the deadlock just after the half-hour mark when Kadzongola converted a free kick from the edge of the 18-yard box. Shadreck Daniel then came close, hitting the side post from a Nsewa cross, before Tizola saved a powerful free kick from Nsewa.
Tigers coach Trevor Kajawa’s halftime talk clearly worked, as his side emerged transformed. Following a series of substitutions, including Precious Kwalenga and Sunganani Mtendere entering the fray, Tigers built pressure. The equalizer finally came in the 65th minute when Masambiro Kalua chested the ball down and slotted it home.
The final quarter saw both teams pressing for a winner, with MAFCO bringing on veteran forward Matthews Sibale. However, late chances by Kwalenga and Msowoya went unconverted, meaning the spoils were shared.
Mighty Tigers Head Coach, Trevor Kajawa, acknowledged the poor start:
“We talked to the boys at halftime and also made changes that brought us back into the game where we scored a goal. We could have also got another one but we missed chances.”
MAFCO Assistant Coach, Jimmy Mzungu, focused on managing leads:
“It happens in football, and we will see how best we can do to start doing better. We will be working hard so that we should be collecting maximum points in our games. We need to help the players try not to concede when we have gone ahead.”
The draw keeps MAFCO just two points clear of the relegation zone with 24 points (6 wins, 6 draws, 11 defeats). Songwe Border United remains cemented in 16th place following a difficult debut season (1 win, 2 draws, 20 defeats).
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