Nomads three points away from winning title
Led by Captain Joseph Kamwendo, Be Forward Wanderers players celebrated every goal they scored by mimicking a university lecturer as they beat resilient Mzuni 3-1 before a huge crowd at Civo Stadium in Lilongwe Sunday.
This means Wanderers have opened a four-point gap at the summit of the TNM Super League log table and are just three points away from winning the title for the first time in 11 years.
With two games remaining, Wanderers have 65 points while Nyasa Big Bullets remain second with 61 points. Both sides have two games to wrap up the season.
Yamikani Chester opened the scoring 15 minutes after kickoff when he fired a low shot past Mzuni goalkeeper, Chimwemwe Kunkwawa.
But Mzuni fought hard and equalised in the 32nd minute through Zaliet Nkhoma.
The two teams went for recess with the score sheet reading 1-1. Wanderers came back into the game better organised and pinned Mzuni inside their own half.
The students failed to contain the pressure as the lively Esau Kanyenda was brought down in the box for a penalty.
Kamwendo held his nerves to convert from the spot, five minutes into the second half.
Substitute Peter Wadabwa put the game beyond Mzuni’s reach when he headed in Isaac Kaliati’s corner kick.
It was game over as the Nomads enjoyed the lion’s share of possession, with Harry Nyirenda, Yamikani Chester, Kamwendo, Kaliati and Kanyenda causing plenty of problems for Mzuni.
On the other hand, Mzuni also gave the Nomads tough times with Nkhoma, Lazarus Nyemera and Gift Kasambara playing good football.
It was an exciting and entertaining encounter as both teams displayed good football.
Relief was the prevalent emotion on the part of Wanderers after the final whistle of the match which failed to take place last month at Balaka Stadium after skirmishes broke out between the two sides.
Nomads Head Coach, Yasin Osman, said the victory was important in his team’s bid to win the league title.
“Our experience and passion to win the game made us overcome our opponents. It is a very important victory for us and we just need three points to win the league,” Osman said.
His Mzuni counterpart, Alex Ngwira, said he was disappointed with the loss.
“We lost concentration after conceding the second goal. But we gave the fans a good game. We lost the game after the penalty. But my players fought well and I am happy,” Ngwira, whose side remains 10th on the table with 34 points from 28 games, said.
In another match, Silver Strikers defeated Mafco 1-0 at Silver Stadium to maintain grip on third spot with 55 points from 28 games.
Line ups
Wanderers—Chipuwa, Sanudi, Nyirenda, Namwera, Sumani, Manyozo Jnr, Kamwendo, Chester, Kaliati, Chande, Kanyenda.
Mzuni—Kunkwawa, Longwe, Mwenenguwe, Phiri, Sangano, Silwimba, Kasambara, Nyemera, Gilioni, Nkhoma, Kayira.
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