Nomads close in
Mighty Mukuru Wanderers beat Kamuzu Barracks 1-0 yesterday to pile pressure on TNM Super League leaders Silver Strikers following their 1-1 draw with Chitipa United.
The Blantyre-based Nomads have cut the Banker’s lead to six, having collected 38 points from 19 games.
During the match at Civo Stadium in Lilongwe, Lawrence Chaziya headed past KB goalkeeper Hastings Banda from a Stanley Sanudi’s cross to break the deadlock.
It was an important win for Wanderers who are seeking to bring their season back on track and challenge for the title.
Caretaker coach Meke Mwase, who has been under pressure following the team’s inconsistent performance since succeeding Burundian Nsazwurwimo Ramadhan in May, was visibly elated after the final whistle.
“We are very happy to have collected the three points. It wasn’t an easy game, but the boys worked hard to win. The race is on, but we are taking one game at a time. Anything can happen in football,” he said.
His KB counterpart Charles Kamanga conceded being second best to the Lali Lubani Road boys.
“We didn’t play well. We struggled a lot. I must congratulate Wanderers. They played well and deserved to win. It just wasn’t our day,” he said.
At Karonga Stadium, the Central Bankers survived a Chitipa United scare where they had to come from behind to salvage a draw.
In the 25th minute, Chitipa United were awarded a penalty after a Silver player was adjudged to have handled in the box. Ramadan Ntafu made no mistake to put Chitipa United in the lead from the spot. But Charles Chipala equalised in the 51st minute.
Speaking in a post-match interview, Silver coach Peter Mponda said collecting one point away is not a bad result.
“Chitipa pushed to win the game, but we denied them and managed to get one point. I must commend the boys for working hard to force a draw,” he said.
Chitipa coach Christopher Nyambose said he was disappointed with the draw because they played well.
“Silver did not play well. It’s unfortunate that my players made simple mistakes that gave Silver the equaliser,” he said.
Chitipa lie 13th on the log table with 17 points from 19 games.
