Mzuzu City Hammers yesterday handed Mighty Wanderers their first defeat of the 2025 TNM Super League season after coming from behind to claim a dramatic 2-1 victory at Mzuzu Stadium.
The loss means the Nomads have failed to displace their rivals FCB Nyasa Big Bullets at summit of the 16-team log table. The two sides remain tied at 56 points, but Bullets lead on goal difference.
For a moment, the Nomads thought they were genuinely marching to the top of the log table after a second-half header from Promise Kamwendo zoomed past Hammers goalkeeper Oblak Mwakisambe, until Hammers flipped the script.
The hosts fought back and levelled through Samson Olatubosun before Isaiah Nyirenda sealed the victory in added on time.
Wanderers coach Bob Mpinganjira, on a losing side for the first time in the league, accepted defeat.
“We tried our best, but that’s what football is all about,” he said.
Hammers coach Elias Chirambo, though still with a lot to do to survive relegation, said Wanderers deserved the punishment.
“This is not our first time to beat them. They should brag about unbeaten records with other teams. Not Hammers,” he said.
The victory means Hammers have moved to position 14, displacing Mighty Tigers, who lost 3-2 to Chitipa United yesterday.
The match monitored on Fifa + began on a sombre note with a minute’s silence observed for Malawian football legend and former Nomads striker Esau Kanyenda, who died on Tuesday in United Kingdom.
Once the match kicked off, it was clear that both sides knew the importance of bagging full points.
No wonder, the first-half was a story of missed opportunities and growing tension.
The half ended goalless, but the main drama was yet to unfold.
Timothy Silwimba, a persistent threat on the flank delivered an excellent cross into the box and Kamwendo rose highest to meet it with a powerful, guided header that gave the stricken Mwakisambe no chance in the 53rd minute.
Olatubosun equalised in the 73rd minute from Madalitso Safuli free-kick.
Then referee Newton Nyirenda added seven minutes that became a nightmare for Wanderers when Hammers netted the winner through Nyirenda to end the Nomads’ invincibility.
