Nomads, Silver bag full points

They are back in town. After three draws on the trot. Mighty Mukuru Wanderers yesterday returned to winning ways with a 3-0 over Karonga United at Kamuzu Stadium in Blantyre.

Despite the win, the Nomads remain third, but have narrowed the gap with second-placed Blue Eagles to just two points.

Wanderers have finished the first round with 28 points, but the cops have a game to go before they go for first round recess. They are 13 points behind leaders and champions Nyasa Big Bullets.

For a change, the Nomads attacked with a breathtaking sumptuous flair and Ingwina ya Karonga had their backs to the wall.

Misheck Botomani drew first blood for the Lali Lubani Road outfit with a goal as soft as the cheeks of a newly-born baby after beating an ill-concieved off side-trap. It was all simple, no fuss. 

Muhammad Sulumba doubled the lead in the 40th minute through a penalty to take his tally to nine, just a goal behild leading scorer Nyasa Big Bullets’ Babatunde Adepoju.

The penalty was awarded after Sulumba was brought down in the box.

Botomani, who had a grand game, claimed a brace 15 minutes into the second half to seal the win for the Nomads.

It was a sweet revenge for Wanderers who lost both matches to Karonga last season by 2-0 margins.

Karonga United coach Christopher Nyambose, whose side is ninth with 17 points from 14 games, said his charges were out of sorts.

He said: “We didn’t play as a team. We simply did not turn up and Wanderers prepared well for us.”

On his part, Wanderers coach Eddingtone Ng’onamo said his players played according to plan.

“We were on song today. The players were in the mood to fight. In fact, it could have been more, we had three goals disallowed,” he said.

Lilongwe-based Silver Strikers also bagged full points following a 2-0 win over Mafco FC at Chitowe Stadium in Dwangwa, Nkhotakota.

Mike Robert and revitalised Chawanangwa Kaonga were on target for the Central Bankers.

It was a second successive win for Silver under their caretaker coach McDonald Yobe’s tutelage.

The Central Bankers have finished the first round with 26 points and they are currently fourth in the 16-team league while Mafco are sixth with 19 points from 14 matches.

Yobe hailed his charges for fighting every inch of the way.

“It was a tough game, but we thank God we won.”