Mighty Wanderers yesterday made a strong statement about their Castel Challenge Cup defence after starting the campaign with a 6-0 thrashing of hosts Extreme FC at Aubrey Dimba Stadium in Mchinji District.
In another Round of 32 result, Mafco FC suffered a 1-0 home loss to Blue Eagles at Champion Stadium in Dowa to become the first TNM Super League casualty. Nine elite league outfits were in action in last weekend’s eight fixtures.
At Dimba Stadium, Wanderers scored three goals in either half to advance to the Round of 16 alongside Eagles, Mzuzu City Hammers, Civil Service United, Mighty Tigers, Kamuzu Barracks, Ekhaya FC and Karonga United.
tries to outpace Extreme’s Milton
Kumwenda. | Courtesy of Wanderers
In a match monitored on Football Association of Malawi Facebook page, Isaac Kaliati opened the Nomads’ scoreline as early as the 10th minute. Blessing Mwalilino doubled the lead six minutes later before Gaddie Chirwa made it three in the 27th minute.
Wanderers continued with the probing in the second half, resulting in three more goals by Muhammad Sulumba in the 53rd minute, Wallace Adam in the 76th minute and Precious Kamwendo in the 82nd minute.
Prior to the match, third-tier league side Extreme vowed to repeat their 2023 feat when they beat Wanderers 1-0 in the TNM Super League and Nomads coach Bob Mpinganjira said their hosts received a deserving punishment for their rhetoric.
“We wanted to show them that we are the defending champions and there was no room for error. However, it was not an easy match playing against a lower league team. We are very happy with the emphatic win,” he said.
Extreme coach Trust Nyirenda swallowed his pride and congratulated the Nomads for their win.
“It was a good game but we were playing against the champions, who are the giants in Malawi. We lost concentration after conceding early. All the same, congratulations to Wanderers,” he said.
In other matches, relegated Mzuzu City Hammers thrashed lower league side Home Sweepers FC 5-2 through Alex Msiska and Jeremiah Kanyika’s braces and Hassan Luwembe’s strike. Sweepers scored through Bright Manda and Frank Phiri.
Civil United had a narrow escape against Zomba-based third-tier league side Prison United as they progressed 4-2 on post-match penalties after regulation time ended goalless at Balaka Stadium.
Tigers, who have just been relegated from the elite league after over 40 years, thrashed hosts Chilumba Barracks 4-0 at Chitipa Stadium. Mathews Sibale hit a brace while Donnex Chigaya and Grayson Msowoya scored once apiece.
The previous day, Kamuzu Barracks thumped Ntaja Rangers 5-1 at Champion Stadium with Francis Mchema’s hat-trick and strikes by Sam Gunda and Zinjani Yona.Ausessio Joram pulled one back for Rangers.
Ekhaya and Karonga secured post-match penalty victories over Ntaja United and Lufita United, respectively. Ekhaya won 4-3 after a two-all draw while Karonga triumphed 4-1 after a one-all draw.
