By George Mponda

Karonga, April 15, Mana: Ramadan Ntafu produced the first hattrick of the 2024/25 TNM superleague season as Chitipa United Football Club (FC) thrashed Karonga United FC 4-1 at Karonga Stadium on Sunday.

From the first whistle, Chitipa dominated possesion and Ntafu opened the flood gates at eight minutes as he coolly slotted the ball home after being fed a nice pass by Ken Mulenga.

Chitipa almost doubled their lead minutes later as Ken Mlenga curled a beautiful freekick which missed the goal post by inches.

At 23 minutes, Ntafu scored his brace after receiving an assist from Stimela Muyira who kept tormenting the Karonga defence with his dribbling skills.

This made Headcoach for Karonga United, Trevor Kajawa to make three changes; introducing Blessings Mwalilino, Nanison Mbewe and Saulos Moyo, having subbed Geoffrey Kadzitche, Alfred Chizinga and Obie Raphael.

Midfielder Victor Chirambo missed Karonga United's best chance in the dying minutes of the first half as he blasted the ball over the cross bar while facing an empty goal and the first half ended 2-0.

In the second half, Ntafu completed his hattrick at 52 minutes and two minutes later, Muyira danced his way through Karonga United defence to score the fourth goal to the bewilderment of travelling Chitipa fans who were now the loudest in the stadium.

Blessings Mwalilino who was voted man of the match in Karonga United's last match scored  a consolation goal at 73 minutes and the game ended 4-1 in favour of Chitipa.

In a post match interview, Karonga United FC Headcoach Kajawa said this was a humiliating defeat at their own backyard.

"The boys had created many chances and we could have scored almost six goals but they failed and our opponents made use of their chances that is why they managed to punish us with four goals," Kajawa said.

Head Coach for Chitipa United FC, Elvis Kafoteka hailed his boys for putting a wonderful perfomance saying they will be getting better with each game.

The win has put Chitipa United on position six with three points and they will be facing Bullets in their next assignment at home.

Silver Strikers are currently league leaders with six points from two games.