Changalume Barracks’ search for a first victory in the NBS Bank National Division League has suffered another setback today as Mzuzu City Hammers recorded a convincing 5-2 victory at Zomba Stadium.
The defeat leaves the soldiers rooted at the bottom of the table with four points from their opening matches, with only one fixture remaining before the completion of the first round.
For new coach Mike Kumanga, the result was another difficult introduction to the job after last week’s late penalty defeat to Ntaja FC, but the coach has refused to read too much into the setback, insisting he needs time to establish the foundations for a stronger second-round campaign.
Kumanga has acknowledged the weaknesses exposed by the Hammers but also pointed to encouraging aspects of his team’s performance.
“I need time to put down the foundations. We have seen some positives, and we will build on those going into the second round.”
The match initially appeared to offer Changalume hope when Happy Henderson put the hosts ahead after just four minutes, tapping in from a Blessings Malemia’s cross but the lead lasted for only 30 minutes.
Mzuzu City Hammers gradually took control, with Precious Phiri restoring parity in the 34th minute before Madalitso Mwachumu capitalised on a goalkeeping error to put the visitors ahead two minutes before half-time.
Mwachumu then extended the advantage with a superb free-kick in the 58th minute, leaving Changalume facing an uphill battle at 3-1.
The hosts briefly threatened a comeback when Gift Phiri powered home a header from Malemia’s corner in the 67th minute.
However, the Hammers demonstrated the composure and discipline required to kill off the contest.
Christopher Chulu restored their two-goal cushion in the 78th minute before another goalkeeping error allowed Precious Phiri, who was named man of the match, to complete the scoring six minutes later.
The 5-2 defeat exposed Changalume’s defensive frailties, with goalkeeper Precious Kamphenga involved in costly errors for two of the Hammers’ goals.
For Mzuzu City Hammers, however, coach Chisomo Kamulanje attributed the emphatic victory to discipline and hard work rather than experience.
Kamulanje played down suggestions that his team’s experience had been decisive, despite the fact that the squad is rebuilding after the club’s relegation from the Premier Division last season.
He instead credited the players’ commitment and adherence to their tactical instructions.
The result strengthens the Hammers’ promotion ambitions, with their performance characterised by effective ball movement, attacking transitions and greater composure in the decisive areas.
The visitors also showed resilience after conceding twice, refusing to allow Changalume’s second goal to alter the outcome.
For Kumanga, the immediate challenge is now to use the remaining first-round fixture to identify the areas requiring attention before attempting to engineer a turnaround in the second half of the campaign.
Changalume have shown flashes of competitiveness this season, having collected four points through draws, but their inability to convert competitive performances into victories has left them dangerously positioned.
The loss to Mzuzu City Hammers only reinforces the scale of the task facing Kumanga.
But with the coach insisting that it is foundations that are required rather than quick fixes, Changalume’s supporters will hope that the painful lessons from the first round can become the building blocks for a much-improved second half of the season.
