Mighty Wanderers climbed to second on the TNM Super League ladder after defeating Blantyre United 2-1 at Balaka Stadium on Wednesday.
Midfielder Timothy Chitedze struck with a long-range stunner barely four minutes into the game and Victor Mpinganjira added the second from the spot in the last 10 minutes.
With their fourth consecutive win, Wanderers have collected 23 points, one point behind leaders Red Lions. United, who scored through Osward Maonga, are 12th on nine points.
In Lilongwe, Silver Strikers recovered from a 1-0 loss to Mighty Wanderers last Saturday to win 3-0 against Mafco.
Green Harawa scored a brace and Chawanangwa Kaonga’s late goal in injury time gave the hosts a deserved three points.
The defending champions had five corners and free-kicks in the first half, but none of the set pieces resulted in a goal.
Chawanangwa scared Mafco defence with a thunderous shot which hit the wood work just 10 minutes into the game.
Another Mafco effort three minutes later from Chifuniro Phiri hit the upright with Silver goalie Charles Swini already beaten.
Harawa broke the deadlock in the 62nd minute.
A Dave Moya setpiece found Harawa in the box unmarked. The latter slotted the ball into the net, sending the home fans into ecstasy.
The goal deflated the visitors and Silver continued to pressurise with substitute Jester Mulima who had replaced Jimmy Ukonde at the centre of the onslaught.
Harawa doubled the lead in the 79th minute from sheer intelligence. Dispossessing a Mafco defender, he released a hard shot from outside the 18-yard box past an outstretched Jailos Kapalamula in Mafco’s goal.
It was done deal for the Bankers.
Kaonga added the third just a minute into injury time.
“I give thanks to God for every victory we register. It is not like we have been playing badly, but we could not score goals. Today we created chances and scored from them,” said Silver coach Franco Ndawa.
Mafco mentor Stereo Gondwe accepted defeat, but faulted referee Duncan Lengani for the first goal.
“Davie Moya was not supposed to take the free-kick as he was the injured player. I think the referee is ignorant of the laws of the game. Anyway it is not an excuse for us,” he said.
