By Llywellenie Mpasa:
Mighty Wanderers delivered yet another statement of intent in the TNM Super League title race as they earned a hard-fought 2-0 victory over Songwe Border United at Kamuzu Stadium in Blantyre Wednesday.
The victory means Wanderers have dislodged FCB Nyasa Big Bullets from the top of the 16-member log table.
Wanderers have 51 points from 21 matches, two points above second-placed Bullets.
The win over Songwe came days after the Nomads thrashed fellow title contenders and rivals Bullets 3-0 at the same venue on Sunday.
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Yesterday, the Nomads were made to sweat as they left it late to snatch all the points, with goals from substitutes Clement Nyondo and Sama Tanjong.
Nyondo broke the deadlock when he rose highest to head home a Blessings Singini cross in the 84th minute and the blue-and-white side of town went into ecstasy.
The goal eased pressure on the Nomads and forced Songwe to push forward, creating more space at the back.
Wanderers were not done yet as Sama sealed the victory with a fine header in added time.
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With nine matches to wind up the season, the Nomads are in the driving seat in the title race.
But it is too early to call.
At Kamuzu Stadium, despite dominating possession and controlling the tempo of the match, Wanderers struggled to penetrate a compact and disciplined Songwe defence.
The Nomads created more spaces and enjoyed much of the attacking play but their final passes often lacked precision and a cutting edge.
Songwe appeared determined to pull a shocker after frustrating Wanderers for 84 minutes.
Frustration marks were written all over the faces of Wanderers fans after the deadlock at the break.
But Wanderers coach Bob Mpinganjira made some changes early in the second half, when he introduced Nyondo, Promise Kamwendo and Stanley Sanudi for Muhammad Sulumba , Adam Wallace and Blessings Mwalilino.
The changes had some impact upfront.
Still, the breakthrough did not come easily.
Songwe were solid at the back.
The problem is, by sitting back, Songwe invited pressure.
Relief was the prevalent emotion for Wanderers after the final whistle.
Mpinganjira praised his players for the victory.
“We kept believing, stayed organised and, in the end, the goals came. Now we must keep our focus… the season is far from over,” Mpinganjira said.
Songwe coach Edwin Kaonga said his side lost concentration towards the end.
“We tried to stay organised and frustrate them but, towards.
