Exclusive: Malawian Petro reflects on relegation escape in Romania

Charles Petro: Photo Credit: Fotbal Club Botoșani.

Malawian defender Charles Petro says relief is the prevalent feeling after playing a part in his Football Club Botoșani’s narrow escape from the jaws of relegation in Romania.

The defender, then Europe-based player in the current Flames squad, shared his feelings after Botoșani secured their SuperLiga status relegation on Sunday.

“I am excited that the season has ended and we have survived relegation. The going was tough, but we have to work hard and unite with a purpose of winning the last game and staying up,” he told Pan-Africa Football.

Botosani needed a 2-1 win over Hermannstadt at Botoșani Municipal Stadium in a Group B Super Liga play-off to ensure survival.

The Flames' versatile player joined the fray in the second half with the game evenly balanced. Enzo Lopez and Zolan Mitrov’s 68th and 70th minute goals secured the win for Botoșani. There was a nervy end to the match as the visitors pulled one back through Ianis Stoica in the 76th minute.

Summing up the last-gasp win at the end of the season, Botoșani have celebrated the survival via a statement.

It reads: “Victories come hand in hand with pain, with suffering, with tears, and our boys know this best now, after the match in which we saved ourselves directly from relegation.”