Mzuzu City Hammers and Civil Service United have settled for a goalless draw in the first leg of their Airtel Top 8 Quarterfinal encounter at Mzuzu Stadium.
Played under slippery conditions following persistent showers, the match saw both sides create chances, but none were converted into goals.
Civil Service United started on the front foot, winning a corner as early as the third minute, which was well dealt with by Hammers goalkeeper Innocent Kamwambi.
Mzuzu City Hammers nearly broke the deadlock in the 12th minute when Chimwemwe Chunga delivered a square ball into the box for Moses Gwayi, who fired over the bar.
Civil responded immediately with a threatening cross, but neither Muhammad Biason nor Damiano Kunje could connect.
The hosts’ best chance of the half came from a corner in the 17th minute, but Samson failed to make contact.
Civil’s Biason came close in the 27th minute, but his effort narrowly missed the target.
In the second half, Civil introduced John Dambuleni for Charles Mafaiti in the 50th minute, while Hammers brought on Isaiah Nyirenda for Gwayi in the 62nd.
A key moment came in the 71st minute Civil’s Emmanuel Muyira had back-to-back efforts blocked in the Hammers’ box.
Civil continued to apply pressure, with Biason’s 76th-minute strike blocked by Jimmy Msiska and the rebound rolling wide.
There were brief stoppages due to injuries to Boston Kabango and Chikaiko Batison.
Hammers’ Nyirenda tried his luck from long range in the 85th minute, but his effort was comfortably handled by Civil’s goalkeeper.
Civil pressed in the dying minutes, with Batison’s 90th-minute effort being calmly collected by the ever-alert Kamwambi.
Erick Kaonga of Mzuzu City Hammers was named Man of the Match for his composure and creativity in both attack and defence.
Reacting to the result, Civil’s coach Abbas Makawa acknowledged the tough nature of the match.
“We created several chances but couldn’t capitalise. It’s not a bad result—we still have the return leg at home,” he said, adding that the slippery pitch disrupted their rhythm.
Mzuzu City Hammers coach Steve Nkwinika said his side adapted well and would carry their tactical observations into the second leg.
“It was a good game. We noted some weaknesses in our opponents and we’ll work on that before the second leg on 18 May,” Nkwinika said.
He also echoed Makawa’s concerns about the muddy pitch affecting gameplay.
So far, the first-leg matches in the Airtel Top 8 have yielded just one goal.
The tournament kicked off on 12 April with defending champions FCB Nyasa Big Bullets being held to a goalless draw by Creck Sporting Club, the competition’s debutants.
Airtel Top 8 action continues on 21 April as two-time champions Silver Strikers take on Moyale Barracks in Lilongwe.
