What looked like an ordinary fixture turned into a match of frustration for Mighty Mukuru Wanderers as Bangwe All Stars held them to a goalless draw in a TNM Super League encounter at Mpira Stadium in Chiwembe Township, Blantyre, Sunday.
Wanderers, having thrashed Fomo and Creck Sporting clubs by 3-0 margins, respectively, were regarded as favourites to win the match.
Statistics seemed to favour the Nomads as they defeated Bangwe twice 2-0 and 3-0 last season.
On the contrary, Bangwe went into the match with just a point from a possible nine, having drawn with Karonga United 1-1 and losing to Fomo 1-0 and Silver Strikers 3-1.
Following the poor start to the season, Bangwe appointed caretaker coach Mapopa Msukwa after Christopher Nyambose threw in the towel.
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Msukwa responded with a defensive approach, commonly known as ‘parking the bus’, by playing too deep in their half and giving little room to their opponents to manoeuvre.
With increased stakes this season after TNM plc increased its package to K500 million per season in the next three years and K100 million prize money for the champions, it was not going to be an easy match.
The new package caters for every team following the increase of the subvention to K10 million, up from K4 million, and this might have inspired Bangwe to put up a spirited performance.
Ordinarily, it was supposed to be a routine win for Wanderers but the Lali Lubani Road side huffed and puffed in vain.
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Even the substitution of striker Christopher Kumwembe for Isaac Kaliati late in the first half did not make any difference.
After a goalless first half, many expected Wanderers to approach the game full of vigour, hunger and passion but it was not to be as Bangwe goalkeeper Elias Missi recovered from his early minute’s jitteriness to deny Gaddie Chirwa and Stanley Sanudi scoring opportunities.
Missi was undoubtedly named man-of-the match as his exploits, coupled with delaying tactics, helped his side to collect their second point of the season.
However, when the Nomads thought that they had a breakthrough, the officiating personnel of Kesten Mnenula, Joseph Nyauti and Charles Chataika blocked them with an unpopular decision but the men-in-black stood firm, sticking to their decision.
Wanderers Assistant Coach Meck Mwase admitted it was a difficult match.
“We anticipated this. Of course, our players worked hard to win the match but it did not work. The race is still on,” Mwase.
On his part, Msukwa said it was a good start to his reign.
“We had to change our system to contain them. Credit should go to the boys for a job well done,” Msukwa said.
Wanderers are third on the table with eight points, two below leaders Silver Strikers, having both played four matches each.
Bangwe are on position 14 on the 16-member log table with two points from the same number of matches.
In another match played Sunday, Kamuzu Barracks beat Civil Service United 2-1, with Olson Kanjira and Zeliati Nkhoma scoring for the soldiers while Emmanuel Saviel scored for Civil.
In other matches, Moyale Barracks and Dedza Dynamos played out to a goalless draw at Mzuzu Stadium while debutants Fomo chalked their second win of the season after beating Chitipa United 1-0 at Mulanje Park Stadium.
Chimwemwe Nyoni, who was voted man of the match, scored for Fomo.
Karonga United pummelled Mighty Tigers 3-1 at Karonga Stadium. Kennedy Mwakabaghe, Saulos Moyo ndi Allen Chihana scored for Karonga while Precious Chiudza grabbed Tigers’ consolation goal.
