Kamwendo fails to inspire, turnaround as Villa fall to FOMO

Mchinji Villa Football Club is still in search of their first win in the NBS Bank National Division League, even under the newly appointed head coach Joseph Kamwendo after suffering a 1-3 home defeat to Mulanje-based FOMO FC.

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The club unveiled Kamwendo, a former Creck Sporting coach, last week following a string of poor results in the NBS Bank National Division League.

On Saturday, Villa looked like a rejuvenated side and took the lead in the 28th minute through Juwawo Davie.

However, the advantage was short-lived as FOMO equalised in the 39th minute, courtesy of an own goal by Villa goalkeeper, Chisomo Yakobe, who put the ball into his own net.

The teams went into halftime level at 1-1.

FOMO came back stronger in the second half, pressing Villa’s defense with intensity.

Despite substitutions that saw Mazunzo Banda and Ernest Chimuvi replace Hastings Chimala and Kumbukani Bufote, Villa failed to regain control of the match.

The lions of Sapitwa took the lead in the 65th minute with a stunning long-range strike from Thomas Gray that caught Yakobe off guard.

In the 73rd minute, Juwawo came close to equalising, but FOMO goalkeeper Richard Mtekateka produced a brilliant save to deny him.

Just three minutes later, FOMO sealed the victory with a third goal.

A slick exchange between Yamikani Thole and Rashid Chilomo ended with Chilomo finding the back of the net, making it 3-1.

Villa had a chance to narrow the deficit late in the game, but Banda squandered a golden opportunity after being set up by Shamiona Wotchi.

After the match, Kamwendo acknowledged the gap between his players’ abilities and the level of the league but he remained optimistic.

“The players we have are not quite at the level of this league, but it is not a big deal. We will continue with the same squad and work to motivate them to perform better,” Kamwendo said.

FOMO coach Jimmy Zakazaka expressed satisfaction with the result.

“We have struggled in away matches, so this being our first win on the road feels great. The boys gave it their all today,” Zakazaka said.

In other results, Baka City edged Chilumba Barracks 1-0, Red Lions defeated Jenda 3-0, and Ndirande Stars beat Ntaja 1-0.

Red Lions, remain at the top of the 12-team NBS Bank National Division League table with 18 points from seven games, while Villa are second last with three points and they have never tasted a win.