Nomads, Silver drop points
TNM Super League title contenders Be Forward Wanderers and Silver Strikers were thoroughly frustrated by relegation-threatened teams yesterday as they failed to claim maximum points.
Both the Nomads and the Central Bankers needed to win their matches to send strong signals of their intent to lift the title in December but Chitipa United and Blantyre United forced them 1-1 and 0-0 draws, respectively.
The results mean that the five point gap between the two sides is intact, with Wanderers still leading at 51 points and Silver remaining second with 46 points.
Wanderers travelled to Karonga to become the first Super League team, along with Chitipa United, to play at the newly-constructed Karonga Stadium.
The match brought business at Karonga Boma to a standstill as multitudes flocked to the match venues to witness the historical tie.
The Nomads dominated play in the first half but failed to convert any of their goalscoring chances.
The closest was Jafali Chande’s which hit the goalpost in the 25th minute.
Chitipa United also had theirs in the second half but finding the back of the net proved to be a mammoth task.
Wanderers Coach, Yasin Osman, said the match belonged to his side and it was unfortunate that his players allowed it to slip through their fingers.
“It is sad that we have failed to capitalise on Silver’s draw. But we will rise to the occasion against Moyale tomorrow [today]. At least we should return to Blantyre with four points,” Osman said.
Chitipa assistant Coach, Robert Mzinza, said drawing against Wanderers means that they have a good team.
“At last we are playing closer to home and we believe this will help us to survive relegation by winning all our remaining matches,” Mzinza said.
At Chilomoni Stadium in Blantyre, Silver Strikers went ahead through Levison Maganizo’s powerful connection in the 32nd minute.
But despite trailing, Blantyre United were still lively and looked threatening throughout.
The hosts started the second half like a house on fire and were duly rewarded in the 57th minute when substitute Tony Mbulu set up Cuthbert Sinetre to equalise and eventually end the match square.
Silver Team Manager, Francis Songo, said it was a frustrating result but refused to rule his team out of the title race.
“We were supposed to win. We need full points in every match to remain serious title contenders,” Songo said.
Blantyre United Coach, MacDonald Mtetemera, thanked his charges for playing according to instructions.
“I told them to stop playing flowery football. We need to play to win and entertainment will follow after the goals,” Mtetemera said.
In other Super League games also played yesterday, Blue Eagles defeated Azam Tigers 2-0 at Chiwembe Stadium in Blantyre with Steward Mbunge and Mphatso Phillemon scoring for the cops.
Defending champions, Kamuzu Barracks beat Civil Sporting Club 1-0 through Harvey Nkacha.
Wanderers are meeting Moyale this afternoon without Lucky Malata who is injured but are expected to welcome back Peter Wadabwa who was rested yesterday.
The Nomads will be itching to avenge the 2-0 defeat they suffered at the hands of the Lions of Kaning’ina in the Fisd Challenge Cup at the same venue.
Silver will also have to win at all cost against Red Lions at Balaka Stadium if they are to maintain their current position on the table, with Nyasa Big Bullets breathing down their neck.
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