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| Sports |
| Civo feast on Cobbe |
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by
Leonard Sharra, 14 March 2005
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14:46:25
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Civo 5
Cobbe 1
Super League new comers Cobbe Barracks had another baptism of fire on Saturday when they were smashed 5-1 by league leaders Civil Service United (Civo) in a one-sided affair played before a small crowd at Civo Stadium in Lilongwe.
Cobbe’s coach James Liwonde, whose side also suffered a 6-0 defeat at the hands of Super Escom three weeks ago, could not understand what is happening to his boys.
“We prepared very well for this match and I don’t know what went wrong with the boys. When we were down 2-1 at half time, we talked to the boys but they just collapsed in the last half,” he lamented.
Liwonde, however, pointed out that the absence of defenders Nelson Chirwa, Yamikani Kachali and Halton Timbebawo, who is sometimes featured as a midfielder might have affected his team.
Liwonde’s counterpart Young Chimodzi, who has transformed the youthful Civo into a strong force, said his troops were determined to win and maintain a grip on the league leadership.
“We know we are under pressure because of the teams that are coming very close to us but we want to maintain the top position,” said Chimodzi.
Striker Dyton Chizuze opened the floodgates in the early moments but veteran striker Dick Chirwa replied for the soldiers just moments later. Robust striker/midfielder Davie Chirwa, who is an inspirational the young ones in the team, made sure the first half ended in favour of his team when he released a 25-metre stunning drive that gave goalkeeper Charles Saukila no chance.
Amid fears among some Civo fans that Cobbe, who featured former Red Lions troops— Charles Kukhala, Lameck Mughogho and Sekile Chitete— would fight back, the soldiers just collapsed in the last half, leaving the Chimodzi boys do the damage.
Substitute Chinji Majawa, Ganizani Banda and Lawrence Mwehiwa, who also came from the bench were responsible for the third, fourth and fifth goals respectively.
Before the third goal, Liwonde pulled out Dan Ziba, Gift Mshanga and injured keeper Saukila for Fungai Kawanga, Rodrick Khombe and Kumbukani Taulo respectively while Chimodzi rested his son Young Chimodzi Junior for Majawa and Noel Mkandawire for Mwehiwa.
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