By Isaac Salima:
Mighty Mukuru Wanderers Sunday inflicted more pain on wounded Blue Eagles after beating them 1-0 in a TNM Super League match played at Kamuzu Stadium.
This was a fourth consecutive league defeat for the Area 30 Police side after going down to Ekwendeni Hammers, FCB Nyasa Big Bullets and Karonga United in their recent encounters.
The policemen were also knocked out of the FDH Bank Cup by Mafco on Thursday last week.
Vincent Nyangulu’s incredible diving header in the 49th minute proved to be the priceless goal the Nomads needed to move to fourth in the league with 25 points from 13 games.
It certainly does not look good for the Eagles who, just last year, were serious title contenders as they finished second but are now stuck on position 12 from 14 matches.
The visitors failed to recover from their previous performances when they were not clinical enough in front of the goal.
Eagles dominated possession for the better part of the first half, as their packed midfield proved effective, with exciting Richard Rabson doing wonders on the left flank but the frontline was awful.
Wanderers, who welcomed back Stanley Sanudi and Isaac Kaliati from suspension, were not at their usual best but created scoring chances.
Man of the match Wisdom Mpinganjira was unstoppable on the right wing but his supplies were not put to good use.
Nyangulu made an intelligent diving header just after the break to separate the two sides.
It was, however, a sweet victory for the Nomads who on Thursday claimed a 1-0 win over Silver Strikers.
It was also a source of relief to Wanderers Coach Mark Harrison, who was given a five-match ultimatum to win at least four matches.
“I am happy with the victory, not the performance. We needed to win the game to close the gap but after a fine performance in the previous game, we came here with this play. I think it is not a problem with technical work but a mental thing,” Harrison said.
In other matches played Sunday, Karonga United drew 1-1 with Kamuzu Barracks while Dedza Dynamos Salima Sugar beat Extreme 1-0.
On Saturday, giant killers Chitipa United beat Civil Service United 2-1 while Mafco defeated brothers-in-arms Red Lions 1-0. Bangwe All Stars and Ekwendeni Hammers drew 1-1.
Currently, FCB Nyasa Big Bullets lead the table with 26 points from 13 matches while Chitipa lie second on goal difference, having played a match more.
Silver Strikers are third with 25 points from 12 matches, edging fourth-placed Nomads on goal difference.
