Nomads back on top

Be Forward Wanderers will go into their last first round TNM Super League fixture against unbeaten Silver Strikers at the top of the table after edging Mzuzu University (Mzuni) FC 1-0 yesterday.

Jaffalie Chande was the toast of the afternoon for the Nomads after scoring the lone goal in the 43rd minute.

A luscious move from the centre circle climaxed with captain Joseph Kamwendo flicking the ball to Chande who complemented it with a shot which gave Mzuni’s goalkeeper Happy Msowoya no chance.

Following the win, the Nomads have dislodged Silver from the pinnacle of the 16-team log table with 34 points from 14 matches, two above the Bankers.

The Nomads will face Silver in the final first round fixture slated for September 3 and at stake will be the K1 million first round winner’s prize.

Both teams had chances, especially in the second half.

Twice, the Nomads survived a scare when defender Harry Nyirenda and veteran forward Esau Kanyenda were forced to make desperate clearances near the goal line.

Wanderers, who substituted Peter Wadabwa and Isaac ‘Tcheya’ Kaliati for Khumbo N’gambi and Felix Zulu, respectively, had their moments too with Chande tormenting the hosts’ defence while Ernest Tambe controlled the midfield with remarkable ease.

Chande could have claimed a double towards the end, but his goal was ruled out for off side.

Nomads coach Yasin ‘Titch’ Osman said the win was vital going into their last first round game.

“It is good to be back on top, it will definitely boost our confidence going into our last match against Silver next weekend,” he said.

His Mzuni FC counterpart Alex Ngwira rued missed chances.

“We played well only that we couldn’t take our chances. We need to work on finishing ahead of the second round,” he said.

This is the first time that the Nomads have beaten Mzuni FC in the Super League. It was also a fruitful outing to the North for the Lali Lubani Road outfit following their 3-2 penalty shoot-out win over Moyale Barracks  in the semi-finals of the Carlsberg Cup at the same venue the previous day. n