Mighty Wanderers yesterday moved up four places to third position in the FDH Bank Premiership after cruising to a 4-1 victory over Karonga United at Mpira Stadium in Chiwembe Township, Blantyre.
The toast of the afternoon for the Nomads was striker Lameck Mithi, who produced a clinical display by scoring his first hat-trick for the Nomads. He was named player of the match. Midfielder Isaac Kaliyati added the other goal and provided two assists in a dominant performance by the defending champions.
Karonga United’s only goal came through substitute Alex Benson.
Wanderers started the match brightly and took the lead in the 15th minute after Kaliyati intercepted a loose pass in the visitors’ defence.
The midfielder combined neatly with Blessings Mwalilino before calmly tapping the ball home past helpless Karonga goalkeeper Eddie Jamu.
The hosts doubled their advantage seven minutes later when Mithi rose highest to powerfully head in a well-delivered corner kick from Kaliyati, sending the home supporters into a frenzy.
Wanderers continued to pile pressure on the visitors with wave after wave of attacks as Ingwina ya Karonga struggled to contain the hosts’ movement and pace going forward.
The visitors pulled one back in the 34th minute through Benson after being set up by Michael Mwalilino, briefly giving the visitors hope of a comeback.
However, Wanderers quickly restored their two-goal cushion just minutes later.
Kaliyati once again turned provider when he picked out Mithi, who made no mistake to grab his second goal of the afternoon and hand the Nomads a 3-1 lead heading into recess.
Mithi completed his hat-trick in the 88th minute with a stunning thunderbolt that gave the Karonga United goalkeeper no chance, sealing an emphatic 4-1 victory for Wanderers.
The result sees Wanderers move into third place on the league standings with 10 points deom five matches.
They are tied on points with second-placed Silver Strikers and Blue Eagles who are fourth, but separated by goal difference.
The fixture had initially been earmarked as the official launch match for the 2026/27 season.
However, those plans were abandoned after the Football Association of Malawi ruled that Kamuzu Stadium in Blantyre was not fit to host matches.
