Michael Teteh and Innocent Chipolopolo were on target as Sable Farming defeated fellow strugglers TN Stars 2-1 today at Kasungu Stadium to attain a vital lifeline in their survival hopes for this year’s TNM Super league.
This is one of the matches this season that had both teams’ sights on all three points, but for this cracking match, the log table slipping mattered the most.
The defeat to the home side now means that the tall aim for survival has been put to rest.
It was however the visitors who struck first just after nine minutes as former Silver Strikers forward Teteh capitalized on a defensive error by Thoko Mwangata to slot home past Hassan Mulli in goals for TN Stars.
The home side then took to the laces in a quest to level parity only for efforts by inform China Chirwa and Alfred Chizinga to be well managed by White Kesten manning the Sable defense and goalkeeper Paul Stambuli who replaced the usual Flecther Jamali placed on the bench by coach Macdonald Mtetemera.
Failure to utilize all the vital chances went on to see the home side concede again as with just six minutes before half time, a brilliant Chipolopolo rounded off the TN defense after being set up by Simeon Singa to increase the lead for his team.
This meant that the home side hard labor in the next 45 minutes to settle the score line.
It was no surprise at all to see the coach for the home side Honest Nkhwazi rushing to the dressing room, perhaps to raise the spirits in his charges.
The second half saw TN yet again earning chances to reduce the gap and eventually draw but Sichinga, Chirwa, and captain Mphatso Dzongololo could only be left in disbelief as Stambuli was in top form, perhaps to cement his gloves before the posts.
But his prowess could not stand in the way of Chirwa who after 65 minutes shot from close range to raise the belief in his team.
Sable would yet again extend the lead but Mulli was equal to the task to deny Singa a goal with just two minutes left.
The win now means that Sable has 24 points from 27 games while TN Stars have 22 points thus far manning the bottom of the log.
The result has also created an extended interesting situation as Zomba-based side Red Lions has 25 points from 26 games while Karonga United has 28 points from 26 games meaning that all the teams have survival in sight.
TN Stars will now need to win all their remaining four to make their total pickings to 28 only if Sable and Red Lions lose their games.
The traveling Blantyre side has three games to go before they wrap up their season and will seek a bad omen to fall on the other two sides as well.
Sable has yet to face Silver Strikers, Mighty Mukuru Wanderers, and Blue Eagles, matches which will also be critical for the other teams looking to cement a top-four finish.
After the match, Mtetemera, said the side will not look at their performance but will be seeking to build on it to at least earn survival.
“We have three games before we finish the season and we will try to fight hard and earn points for us to survive. That is what we seek now as we head back to our base,” said Mtetemera.
TN Stars assistant coach, Honest Nkhwazi said they have not given up on their survival battle.
“In football, we lose, win and draw, we know that we are not bringing results, but we will try. It’s part of the game, we tried our best to get the maximum points,” said Nkhwazi.
In other matches in the day, Blue Eagles claimed an emphatic four-nil win over Dedza Dynamos at Nankhaka Ground in Lilongwe sending a dismal statement of intent on claiming the championship this season.
Gaddie Chirwa’s bagged a brace, with another goal by Ian Chinyama while Swedi Limbani scored in his net for Dedza to see out their heaviest defeat this season.
The eagles have now moved to second place with 53 points from 26 games.
Dedza Dynamos are on number 8 with 39 points from 27 games.
At Mzuzu stadium, Rodwell Robert scored for the sole goal as ten-man Silver Strikers defeated Moyale Barracks.
The result now means that the Central Bankers head into the fifth position with 45 points from 28 games while the Kaningina soldiers Moyale are on position nine with 40 points.