Tigers exit relegation zone with KB mauling

Mighty Tigers have climbed out of the relegation zone after a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Kamuzu Barracks at Mpira Stadium on Wednesday afternoon, moving up two places in the standings.

The Kaukau boys extended their unbeaten run to five games thanks to Grayson Msowoya’s first-half strike that secured a crucial victory.

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The hosts started strongly, with Osman Bakali blasting a free kick over the bar in the third minute. Tigers took the lead in the 16th minute when Masambiro Kalua set up Msowoya for his eighth goal of the season.

KB responded with sustained pressure in search of an equalizer, with Zeliat Nkhoma posing the main threat. However, the Tigers defense, led by captain Kelvin Banda and Alex Kambirinya, kept him at bay. John Banda replaced Gerald Chirwa in the 38th minute.

Trevor Kajawa made two halftime substitutions, bringing on Precious Kwalenga and Wisdom Maulabo Jere for Shukuran Affick and Philip Chavula. KB responded by introducing Lumbani Mkandawire for Samson Chiponda.

Msowoya nearly doubled his tally three minutes into the second half, but goalkeeper Hastings Banda made a crucial save.

The game tightened in the closing stages. Msowoya shot wide in the 75th minute, and two minutes later, Tigers goalkeeper Lucky Tizola produced a brilliant save to deny Nkhoma.

KB introduced Shuiten Mhango for Godfrey Sumani, while Tigers brought on Samuel Kondanani and Martin Msewa for Bakali and Kalua. The hosts held firm to secure all three points.

Tigers head coach Trevor Kajawa was pleased with the result but remained cautious about his team’s survival prospects.

“We have not survived. There is still a long way to go, and we have to be focused in our games to fight for ourselves and not depend on others to fight for us. We can’t celebrate this win, but we will celebrate after the final match,” Kajawa said.

KB’s Nicholas Mhango felt the match was evenly balanced but luck favored Tigers.

“We planned well, but also the weather was not good and the pitch was unplayable, so we tried but it was just not our day,” Mhango said.

The victory lifted Tigers to 12th place with 26 points from 25 games (6 wins, 8 draws, 11 defeats), two points clear of the relegation zone. They leapfrogged MAFCO and Goshen City Dedza Dynamos in the process.

KB dropped to seventh place with 35 points from 25 games (10 wins, 5 draws, 10 defeats).