By Isaac Salima:
Mighty Mukuru Wanderers Sunday launched their 2023 TNM Super League campaign with a 2-0 win over Civil Service United in a game played at Kamuzu Stadium.
Christopher Kumwembe had no mercy for his former team when he banged in the first goal before Misheck Bottomani doubled Wanderers’ lead just after the half hour mark to inspire their side to victory.
Watched by a sizeable crowd, the result was sweet revenge for the Nomads, who last season suffered a 4-3 home defeat after a goalless draw with the civil servants in the first round.
Civil Coach Oscar Kaunda conceded that his team was second best on the day.
“We gave them too much freedom and we need to work on our attacking. We did well in defence because they did not break our backline, apart from the goals they scored, but we failed to penetrate into their half, which we need to work on,” Kaunda said.
Nomads mentor Mark Harrison was, as expected, happy with the victory.
“We had a sloppy start but still managed to score those two goals. In the second half, we dropped the pace again but I am happy with the clean sheet,” he said.
It was a game with few highlights as both sides did little to keep spectators on the edge of their seats.
Wanderers started with their new acquisitions in the likes of forwards Gaddie Chirwa, Kumwembe and attacking midfielder Mphatso Kamanga.
The Lali Lubani side capitalised on the visitors’ disorganisation in almost all departments to take slender control of the proceedings.
Kumwembe punished his former team in the 25th minute with a tap-in after being supplied by Bottomani from the right flank.
Bottomani, who was a thorn in Civil’s flesh, added the second goal with his first-time connection from Stanley Sanudi’s free-kick after out-running the visitors’ defenders.
The visitors sat in their half and rarely troubled the hosts throughout as they registered only three shots on target.
Despite making four substitutions at once in the final half, Civil, who finished eighth last season, did not get much from the fresh legs until referee Mayamiko Kankere blew the final whistle.
Wanderers lead the table with three points.
Only three teams registered wins during the opening week, with Mafco beating Chitipa United 2-1 while Might Tigers defeated debutants Extreme FC 1-0.
In other games played on Sunday, Dedza Dynamos Salima Sugar were held by newcomers Bangwe All Stars after playing out to a 1-1 draw while Ekwendeni Hammers drew 0-0 with Kamuzu Barracks.
Red Lions came from behind to force a 1-1 draw with the Blue Eagles. Moyale Barracks drew one-all against Karonga United.
