Champions Mighty Wanderers returned to winning ways yesterday with a 3-0 victory over Mafco FC to move a place up to third in the FDH Bank Premiership at Mpira Stadium in Chiwembe Township, Blantyre.
The Nomads went into yesterday’s tie after two successive draws against Goshen City Dedza Dynamos and Ekhaya FC.
But yesterday, the Nomads played with renewed purpose that had a touch of flare and verve.
They now sit third with 18 points from nine games, a point shy of leaders Blue Eagles of Lilongwe and second-placed FCB Nyasa Big Bullets, who are tied on both points and goal difference, but the cops have the bragging rights due to superior number of goals scored.
The toast of the afternoon at Lali Lubani Road was midfielder Isaac ‘Tcheya’ Kaliyati, who scored a brace.
Kaliyati. | Courtesy of Mighty Wanderers
The first came through a penalty awarded after one of the Salima-based side players was adjudged to have handled the ball in the box in the 37th minute and up stepped the top-flight league 2024 golden boot winner to convert with ease.
Kaliyati, who is now one of the longest serving players at Wanderers, made it 2-0 with a fabulous free-kick which gave the visitors’ goalkeeper William Mbale not a prayer.
The Nomads were in the comfort zone, but not done yet and Clement Nyondo put the icing on the cake with the third goal in the 55th minute.
Job done, Kaliyati, Nyondo and Cameroonian forward Thiery Sama Tanjong were taken off stage to pave the way for the fresh legs of Gaddie Chirwa, Promise Kamwendo and Blessings Mwalilino.
Nomads coach Bob Mpinganjira said they were not consistent in the first half, but came back strongly in the second half.
“We were a far much better side in the second half and we created some good chances, but we failed to make good use of them. Nevertheless, I am happy with the result,” he said.
At Chitipa Stadium, Silver Strikers failed to reclaim the top spot after being held to a goalless draw by Chitipa United.
The Bankers are tied on 18 points with Wanderers, but dropped a place to fourth due to an inferior goal difference.
Silver coach Peter ‘Shoes’ Mgangira admitted that they were out of sorts.
He said: “We didn’t play our game, our performance was not satisfactory, but earning a point away from home isn’t bad. We were also a man down after one of our players was shown the red card.
“Officiation was also not fair, but all the same, I thank my players for their fighting spirit.”
His Chitipa counterpart Kondwa Ikwanga said his charges played according to plan though they couldn’t get a goal.
“I think it is a fair result,” he said.
Meanwhile, Masters FC recovered from three straight losses to beat struggling Kamuzu Barracks 1-0 at Civo Stadium in Lilongwe. Chikaiko Batson scored the lone goal.
Luanar Mitundu and Ekhaya FC played out a goalless draw while Red Lions edged Civil Service United 1-0 courtesy of Matamando Matchipisa’s 77th minute strike.
