Mighty Mukuru Wanderers handed Silver Strikers their first defeat of the TNM Super League after beating them 1-0 in a tense match at Kamuzu Stadium in Blantyre Thursday.
Francis Mkonda scored the lone goal in the 46th minute to halt Silver’s intentions of displacing Bullets, who remain at the top with 26 points, one ahead of the Central Bankers. However, Silver have a game in hand.
The win saw Wanderers moving to fourth position with 22 points from 12 matches.
The atmosphere on the field of play proved to be temperamental, with lovers of the game witnessing the flashing of four red cards to the Silver Strikers camp.
Referee Mayamiko Kanjere was in no-nonsense mood as he sent off assistant coach Peter Mgangira, goalkeepers’ trainer Sibusiso Padambo and coach Pieter De Jongh for allegedly using foul language against the officiating team.
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Kanjere also sent out Silver defender Nixon Mwase for head-butting Wanderers striker Chiukepo Msowoya.
In a rare occurrence, Bullets supporters rallied behind the Nomads and cheered them throughout with full knowledge of what the Nomads’ win would mean to them.
The visitors were first to create scoring opportunities but striker Stain Davie squandered several chances in the first half.
The Nomads, too, were not clinical enough in front of goal as they failed to utilise deliveries from unstoppable Wisdom Mpinganjira and Gaddie Chirwa.
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In the final half, both teams made several changes as the Bankers took the game to the Nomads but the Lali Lubani Road side defended the lead jealously to collect full points.
After the game, emotionally charged de Jongh described the Kamuzu Stadium environment as not being conducive for their game.
“We played well, created chances but it is difficult to play against 40 players as was the case today. We cannot talk about the red cards. No one knows why I was shown the card. Maybe it is time I said goodbye to everyone and go to other countries,” he said.
But it was all joy for Wanderers coach Mark Harrison, who was given at least four games to win.
Harrison said he was not under pressure.
“It means nothing to me. Nothing changes. We are always under pressure to win every single match because there are always too many expectations out there,” he said.
