Mighty Mukuru Wanderers kept their title aspirations alive when they defeated Baka City in a TNM Super League match at Karonga Stadium Thursday.
Wanderers have reduced the point gap against league leaders Silver Strikers to nine points from 12 after concluding their first round matches.
The Nomads remain second on the table with 28 points from 15 matches while Silver have 37 points from the same number of matches.
Coach Meck Mwase made three changes to the line-up that lost against FCB Nyasa Big Bullets in the FDH Bank Cup round-of-16 clash, with goalkeeper William Thole starting ahead of Dalitso Khungwa.
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Cameroonian forward Sama Thierry Tanjong and attacker Francesco Madinga Kumwembe and Clement Nyondo in attack, replaced Christopher
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Despite making the changes, Wanderers were made to work to unlock Baka’s tight defence.
After a goalless first half, Wanderers turned their dominance into goals, with full back Stanley Sanudi Sanudi delivering a cross into the box for Isaac Kaliati to head home, beating goalkeeper Abraham Mwandenga for the opener in the 48th minute.
In a bid to add firepower in attack, Mwase introduced Kumwembe and Misheck Botomani for Sama and Madinga, respectively, in the 65th minute.
The move paid dividends in the 74th minute when Botomani headed home a cross from Sanudi again.
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Kaliati was voted man of the match.
Mwase hailed his charges for returning to winning ways.
“It is a good result considering that we are coming from a loss. The boys worked hard to get this victory.
“In the first half, it was a bit difficult due to wind. This is an important win as we have reduced the gap against those that are on top of us,” Mwase said.
Baka Coach Kondwani Mwalweni said they did not utilise their chances.
“The match was okay but luck was not on our side. When you miss chances, you get punished and this is what happened today,” Mwalweni, whose side anchor the 16-member log table with seven points from 15 matches, said.
