Second-placed Mighty Mukuru Wanderers continue to pile pressure on leaders Silver Strikers in the race for the TNM Super League title after cutting their lead to five points.
The Nomads bagged full points after narrowly edging Mulanje-based rookies Fomo FC 1-0 at Kamuzu Stadium in Blantyre yesterday while the Lilongwe-based Bankers were held to a goalless draw by rejuvenated Bangwe All Stars of Blantyre at Balaka Stadium.
At Mzuzu Stadium, struggling champions FCB Nyasa Bullets were also held to a barren draw by Mzuzu City Hammers.
Silver now have 49 points from 21 matches as the Wanderers continue to breath down their neck.
On the other hand, the point earned in Mzuzu helped Bullets move two steps up to third. They now have 34 points, 15 behind Silver and 10 below the Nomads.
At Kamuzu Stadium, Wisdom Mpinganjira’s eighth minute goal was all the Lali Lubani Road outfit needed to collect maximum points.
In a post-match interview Wanderers coach Meck Mwase described the victory as significant in their title quest despite losing steam in the second half after starting strongly.
He said: “But the most important thing is that we have collected three points that we needed most.
“I don’t like to talk about other teams. I only talk about my team. What we want is if we play well, we win the game.”
Although Silver have maintained their unbeaten record, the draw meant the Bankers have now dropped four points from possible nine, having also drawn against Moyale Barracks and won against Kamuzu Barracks in their last three matches.
In an interview after the match, Silver coach Peter Mponda conceded that it was a tough match against Bangwe, who stunned Bullets s 1-0 two weeks ago.
He said: “It was a frustrating game, but we earned a crucial point. We were playing away against a team whose formation was defensive. We failed to break them.
“If you can see on the balance of play, I don’t think Bangwe came to win the game. We tried to force it, but it didn’t work for us today.
“They came here to frustrate us and they have successfully done that. We are fighting for championship and we wanted to get all the three points. They are fighting relegation. I think they are happy with the point which they got. All th same, we are satisfied with the point which we are taking home .”
At Mzuzu Stadium, Bullets created a couple of good chances, but failed to ultilise them with their Nigerian forward Babatunde Adepoju the notable culprit.
Mzuzu City Hammers are stuck on sixth position with 33 points from 22 games.
Bullets coach Kallisto Pasuwa said he was satisfied getting a point away.
“We created few chances and we came into the game in dying minutes, but still we failed to hit the net,” he said.
His Hammers counterpart Kondwani Ikwanga said it was difficult game they created fewer chances.
