Despite being reduced to 10 men, Namitete Zitha Football Club put up a spirited performance to defeat Chintheche United 2-1 in a thrilling NBS Bank National Division League encounter played at Mchinji Community Ground on Sunday.
Heading into the match, both teams were tied on 11 points, with Chintheche holding fifth position due to a superior goal tally, while Namitete trailed closely in sixth.
It was Chintheche who started the match on the front foot, forcing Namitete into a defensive stance early on.
Despite repeatedly testing the Namitete backline, they found no way past goalkeeper Moffat Limunga.
However, in the 20th minute, Chintheche’s pressure paid off when Chikondi Banda slotted home the opener, giving the visitors a deserved 1-0 lead.
Although Namitete attempted to respond, their efforts before halftime lacked the bite to worry Chintheche, who went into the break with a slender advantage. Namitete returned for the second half with renewed energy and looked a completely different side.
Their persistence was finally rewarded in the 54th minute when substitute Lawrence Chilanga made an instant impact.
Chilanga fired a powerful shot inside the box that flew past Chintheche goalkeeper Felix Maulana to level the score.
The game was briefly halted in the 58th minute after a clash of heads involving two players, resulting in Jimmy Kalanje being rushed to the hospital.
Momentum seemed to favor Namitete even after they were reduced to 10 men in the 69th minute when Chilanga was sent off for an off-the-ball incident.
Despite the numerical disadvantage, Namitete continued to press Chintheche and looked the more dangerous side.
Their efforts bore fruit in the 82nd minute when Mathews Hamuza rose to head in the winning goal after goalkeeper Maulana failed to handle a long-range effort.
Chintheche United coach Isaac Kapyepye admitted his team failed to take advantage of their extra man on the pitch.
“Normally when you play a team with ten men, they tend to defend more and you are prone to counterattacks. That is exactly what happened,” said Kapyepye.
He, however, expressed concern over the officiating, claiming some of the decisions were questionable.
Namitete Zitha coach, Richard Fosco praised his players for their resilience and attacking spirit despite being a man down.
“I told the boys not to look at the red card as a disadvantage. I encouraged them to keep pushing forward, and that paid off,” Fosco said.
While he refrained from criticising the day’s officiating, Fosco hinted at broader concerns with refereeing standards in the league.
The result sees Namitete leapfrog to fourth position with 14 points.
In another match from the same league, Mitundu Baptist edged Bangwe All Stars 2-1.
Mitundu now has 15 points, just three behind league leaders Red Lions, who sit atop the NBS Bank National First Division League with 18 points.
