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Malajila earns H'landers draw in Zambia
By
Nkanyiso Moyo
Green
Buffaloes..(0) 1
Highlanders........(1) 1
IF HIGHLANDERS’ season yields a major trophy this season, a large debt would be owed their little magician, Cuthbert Malajila.
Poached from Chapungu at the beginning of the year, Malajila has wasted no time reinforcing his rating as the country’s top striker.
Tremendous in Highlanders’ flying start to the new Premier Soccer League season, and instrumental in their passage to the first round of the Confederations Cup, Malajila once again rose to the forefront of Highlanders’ early season surge in Zambia on Saturday.
Within seconds of Highlanders trooping into the Nkoloma Stadium in majestically named Chililabombwe, Malajila had thrust the visitors into the lead with a brilliant chip over Mike Poto, whose enthusiasm to keep a clean sheet got him racing out of his line to close the angle.
On the evidence of the subsequent 89 minutes, Highlanders were well worth their lead with a stoical defensive performance, but their afternoon was ruined by Malawian referee, Kalyoto Ngosi, whose late penalty decision stunned even the beneficiaries of his benevolence.
As Highlanders held onto their advantage, a forward surge by the Zambians resulted in a cross into the Highlanders box from the right. Highlanders defenders partially dealt with the cross but inexplicably, Ngosi pointed to the spot – presumably for a push. Such was the ambiguity of the call even Buffaloes players appeared stunned by the decision which so intensely irritated the Highlanders bench.
Buoyed by the early goal, Highlanders bombed forward early on. Wellington Sibanda could have added a second when his well-struck shot flew inches over the bar.
But back came the Zambians. Attacking relentlessly, they forced several corner kicks but the danger was repelled variously by Gilbert Banda, Mkhupali Masuku, Peter Makuvise and Eric Mudzingwa.
On two occasions when the Zambians did manage to break through, they were denied by the width of Washington Arubi’s cross bar. John Masukwa was first to slam the crossbar, and Morgan Hanjema saw his brilliant diving header crash against the woodwork in the 31st minute with the Highlander’s defence in sixes and sevens.
He might be the most gifted striker in the land, but Malajila provided the miss of the day in the 62nd minute. Mudzingwa released Richard Choruma wide on the right. Choruma sent in a beautifully waited cross into the box which the country’s most prolific scorer last year totally failed to connect.
Four minutes later, Highlanders were under attack and Arubi proved why he is rated the best goalkeeper in the country, diving to his left to parry for a corner a stinging low shot from Kambala’s free kick.
Musukwa, a menace all afternoon, forced a very good save from Arubi who went airborne to punch the shot away for a corner.
A lovely one-two between Sibanda and Malajila saw the Highlanders scorer shooting weakly at Poto. A second goal would have taken the sting out of the Zambians.
The last act of the game was conjured up by the Malawian referee who made an appalling decision. Highlanders, however, would be perfectly happy with their away goal which sets them nicely for the second leg in a fortnight.
TEAMS:
Green Buffaloes: M Poto, D Zulu, S Lembe, L Phiri, D
Banda, S Mwansa (O Kalamba 33rd minute), J Musukwa, S Mwale, D Kakunta,
R Tembo, (B Chilando75th minute), M Hanjema
Highlanders: W Arubi, P Makuvise, Z Ngodzo, G Banda, M Masuku (S Alimenda 33rd minute), R Choruma (J Muzokomba65th minute), E Mudzingwa, C Malajila, W Sibanda, D Zimbago, A Ndlovu
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