Mighty Wanderers on Saturday laboured to a 1-0 victory over a resilient Karonga United side in Airtel Top 8 quarter-finals first leg at Kamuzu Stadium in Blantyre.
Striker Blessings Mwalilino showed no mercy against his former team, netting the lone goal of the match in the 51st minute.
For a good part of the match, the visitors did well to hold Wanderers, who pressed in numbers using in-form Wisdom Mpinganjira, Mwalilino, Blessings Singini, Promise Kamwendo, Francisco Madinga and Emmanuel Nyirenda.
Karonga United goalkeeper Maclean Mwale was on the receiving end of the onslaught, but managed to keep Wanderers at bay, just for a while.
Mpinganjira tested the goalkeeper in the seventh minute with a powerful shot which Mwale easily saved.
Moments later, Mwale made a daring save to keep out Madinga’s curved ball in the box.
Karonga also had their fair share of chances as Wanderers goalkeeper Chancy Mtete kept out Alfred Chizinga and Allen Chihana’s shots.
Just before recess, Wanderers supporters thought the goal they were waiting for had finally come, but Mwale made another good save in added-on time to deny Mpinganjira as the first-half ended goalless.
But soon after recess, Karonga United finally cracked as Mwalilino opened his goal account at Wanderers.
The striker hit a rebound after Mwale parried the initial shot from Singini to the relief of the Wanderers supporters.
Mwalilino almost doubled the lead but his header was cleared off the line by the visitors.
Wanderers coach Bob Mpinganjira made a double
substitution, bringing in Gaddie Chirwa and Isaac Kaliati for Nanisoni Mbewe and Madinga.
He also pulled out Singini and introduced Felix Zulu.
However, Mwalilino’s goal remained the only difference between the two sides ahead of the second leg set for Karonga Stadium in a fortnight.
In post-match interview, Karonga team manager Bernard Mwahimba promised to bounce back in the second leg.
He said: “We are definitely going to make it when they come for the second leg.”
Mpinganjira, however, said they would finish the job in Karonga.
He said: “We did not play the way we wanted. All the same, I am happy we have won. What is important is that we have won going into the second leg.
“We know it will be another tough game, but we will work on our shortfalls and prepare for them. ”
Meanwhile, the battle in competition resumes today as Mzuzu City Hammers host Civil Service United at Mzuzu Stadium in the quarter-finals first leg.
Then tomorrow, Silver Strikers will host Moyale Barracks at Silver Stadium in another quarter-final first leg.
