A spirited 4-3 win mattered the most for Civil who complete their TNM Super league campaign but for Mighty Mukuru Wanderers, all breathing spaces to mark a top three finish have been mathematically closed after a mouthwatering fixture played at Kamuzu Stadium in Blantyre today.
The result means the Nomads have lost three times by a 1 nil margin to Blue Eagles and Moyale Barracks.
The writing on the wall might have come so early for Wanderers as captain Stanley Sanudi failed to make the appropriates communication with goalkeeper Pilirani Mapira to score in his own net with just a minute gone.
This followed another goal from Shambisiwe Kanyika before Vincent Nyangulu headed home to make half the score line.
Kanyika capitalized on yet again defensive lapse when Sanudi’s back pass was misjudged by Miracle Gabeya and Joseph Balakasi for the towering forward to slot in past Mapira.
It was a half in which the home side kept pushing for an equalizer but there was not to be any as Tione Tembo in goals for Civil kept out efforts from Nyangulu and top goal scoring chasing attacker Muhamad Sulumba.
But before recess, Civil scored yet again through Innocent Tanganyika.
The winger was in the right place at the right moment to impressively connect into the net, a cross from Christopher Kumwembe who later went to be named Man of the Match.
However, the Nomads responded swiftly through a thunderous shot from an unmarked Felix Zulu.
At 3-2 Nomads coach Alex drew his first changes bringing in Ahamad Kung’unde, Vitumbiko Kumwenda, and Chiukepo Msowoya for Misheck Botomani, Muhammad Sulumba and Felix Zulu.
At 54 minutes, Tanganyika was on target again having managed to dribble past Gabeya and Mapira for the Lilongwe based side to feel that all the cards were before them.
In quick succession, Msowoya had his efforts saved by Tembo before he was injured for at least two minutes.
With just six minutes left before fulltime, the Nomads earned yet another lifeline when Kumwenda, produced a scintillating shot to beat Tembo in his own range.
Scenes of proud befell the Civil servants who now wrap up the campaign in this seven-goal thriller.
With the result, Civil now have 45 points on position eight with a risk of being dislodged by ninth placed Dedza Dynamos who have 40 points and have two more games to meet all assignments for the season.
Civil Coach Franco Ndawa was delighted with the victory.
“I thank the boys for utilizing their chances. We planned to score early and it worked. However, we failed to defend the lead but we are happy that the players took their chances and scored again in a season that was a mixed bag for us” Ndawa said.
On the other hand, the Lali Lubani side now remains fifth with 50 points from 28 games and have no chances to head into the top third slot.
Nomads coach Alex Ngwira was quick to describe the performance by his charges as below the expectations of the team.
“Our players’ attitude was very bad today as you saw due to the mistakes that coast us the goals. But we will regroup and go again for the last two matches this season,” he said.
In other matches relegated side TN Stars drew 2-2 with Karonga United at Kasungu Stadium.
Alfred Chizinga and China Chirwa scored for Stars while Josiah Duwa and Henry Chiwaya scored for the visitor.
Ekwendeni Hammers beat Kamuzu Barracks 1-0 courtesy of Gift Chunga’s goal.
Currently, Nyasa Big Bullets have retained the league for the fourth time running with 67 points from 28 matches while Blue Eagles lie second with 59 points from the same number of matches.
Kamuzu Barracks have finished the season on position three with 57 points from 30 matches.
All the three teams will not be dislodged from the order even if the other teams claim wins.
The season is expected to come to an end on 19 November.