CHITIPA-(MaraviPost)-Mzuzu City Hammers head coach Elias Chirambo has reiterated that his side’s main target is to win their remaining two league matches in order to escape relegation, following a hard-fought 2–2 draw against Chitipa United at Chitipa Stadium on Saturday.

Chirambo made the remarks after watching his team surrender a lead twice in a tense and physical encounter that underlined the pressure facing clubs at both ends of the table.

Going into the match, Hammers were desperate for maximum points as they continue to battle near the relegation zone.

The match began at a high tempo with both teams committing strongly into challenges, forcing medical staff to attend to players early on.

Despite the physical nature of the contest, Mzuzu City Hammers struck first in the ninth minute when Samson Olatubosun calmly finished to give the visitors a 1–0 advantage.

Tempers flared midway through the first half as fouls disrupted the flow of the game but Hammers managed to protect their narrow lead going into the break.

At half-time, the visitors looked on course for a crucial away victory that would have boosted their survival hopes.

However, Chitipa United emerged stronger in the second half and were rewarded in the 67th minute when Mally Kasongo produced a fine finish to level the scores.

Just five minutes later, Kasongo completed his brace with a well-taken header, completing a remarkable turnaround for the hosts.

As the match entered the closing stages, Chitipa were forced into a goalkeeping change after Jacob Anyambwire sustained an injury with Kennedy Nakhaima coming on in his place.

Nine minutes of added time were announced, giving Hammers renewed belief.

That belief paid off in the 90+2nd minute when substitute Alex Orotomal made an instant impact, scoring a dramatic equaliser to rescue a point for the visitors.

The match ended 2–2, with Kasongo later voted Man of the Match for his influential performance.

After the game, Chitipa United coach Kondwa Ikwanga described the encounter as one of the toughest matches his side has played, noting that Mzuzu City Hammers were highly motivated by their desire to escape relegation.

Mzuzu City Hammers remain 15th on the table with 28 points from 28 matches while Chitipa United sit ninth with 37 points from 29 games.

The Maravi Post