Nomads, Silver narrow Super League gap

Mighty Mukuru Wanderers and Silver Strikers yesterday narrowed the gap with TNM Super League leaders FCB Nyasa Bullets following their victories over Dedza Dynamos Salima Sugar and Mighty Waka Waka Tigers, respectively.

The Nomads were 1-0 victors over Dedza Dynamos at Dedza Stadium while the Central Bankers beat the Kau-Kau Boys 2-0 at Kamuzu Stadium in Blantyre.

Following the win, the Nomads are now level on 50 points with Bullets, who, however, have played three games less. Wanderers have now played 26 matches.

On the other hand, Silver remain third with 46 points from 25 matches.

At Dedza Stadium, midfielder Francisco Madinga  was the toast of the afternoon after scoring the lone goal in added time of the first half.

Wisdom Mpinganjira was the architect of the goal after he sold a Dedza Dynamos player a dummy  as if he was taking a shot at goal, but instead laid the ball invitingly in the path of Madinga to fire into the top right corner of the net.

In an a bid to add fire-power, Dedza Dynamos made some changes, bringing in Lameck Gamphani, Ibrahim Sadick and Khumbo Banda for Alex Benson, Frank Adu and Clement Chipanda in that order.

The move nearly paid off moments later as Banda’s fine attempt was kept out by Wanderers goalkeeper William Thole.

Despite the hosts’ efforts, the Nomads, led by their captain Stanley Sanudi, who was named man-of-the-match, held on to their nerve.

Nomads coach Mark Harrison described the win as vital.

He said: “We just have to keep taking the points and pile the pressure on Bullets and see where we land.

“But I don’t think it was a good footballing  game today and the condition of the pitch didn’t help matters either as the ball kept bouncing everywhere. Nevertheless,  what matters is that we got the full points.”

On his part, Dedza Dynamos coach Gilbert Chirwa said his players tried their best, but they did not have an ounce of luck.

“Our performance was good, unfortunately we couldn’t score,” he said.

This was Dedza Dynamos’ first home loss.

At Kamuzu Stadium, after a goalless first half, Silver broke the deadlock in the 66th minute through Patrick Macheso who was set up by midfielder Chimwemwe Idana.

Emmanuel Kaunga doubled the visitors’ lead in the 84th minute when he headed home a Duncan Nyoni well-curled corner-kick.

Tigers coach Christopher Nyambose admitted that Silver were the better side.

“Technically, they were better and they dominated play in midfield. We were second on the ball and as a result, we were completely outplayed,” he said.

Silver assistant coach Peter Mgangira said they deserved to win because they dominated the match.