Silver survive Creck scare, Nomads lose
Karonga United on Sunday dented Mighty Mukuru Wanderers’ TNM Super League title hopes with a 1-0 victory at the former’s Karonga Stadium fortress.
It was the first league loss for the Lali Lubani Road outfit after nine matches.
Wanderers last lost a league match to Moyale Barracks 1-2 at Kamuzu Stadium in Blantyre on July 13, three months ago to be precise.
The Nomads, who remain second with 44 points from 22 matches, now trail leaders Silver Strikers by six points.
Then Bankers were held to a two-all draw by a strong-willed Creck Sporting Club at Aubrey Dimba Stadium in Mchinji.
Alfred Chizinga scored the priceless goal for Ingwina ya Karonga five minutes into the match. He fired home a long-range shot from outside the box, which gave goalkeeper William Thole no chance.
The Nomads created a plethora of chances in both halves as desperation took a toll, but failed to make them count as the hosts held on to their nerves.
Captain Lawrence Chaziya failed to convert a Gaddie Chirwa well-curled corner kick while the latter was alkso unfortunate to see his bicycle kick go wide in either half.
With the game heading towards the end, the Nomads rang a number of changes, but the scores remained the same.
Following the win, they now have moved three places up to seventh with 33 points from 23 matches.
Wanderers coach Meck Mwase attributed the loss to the early goal they conceded.
“The boys tried all their best, but we couldn’t just score. It is part of the game. There are still more games to play and we are still in contention,” he said.
On his part, Karonga assistant coach Chris Chinkwita said: “We are very happy because we were desperate for the three points. We had a strategy for them, we closed them down in the wings where they are dangerous.”
At Aubrey Dimba Stadium, Silver twice came from behind to force a draw and return to the capital city with a hard-earned point.
Creck drew first blood through veteran forward Muhammad Sulumba, who capitalised on a defensive error by Emmanhuel Kaunga before coolly slotting the ball past advancing goalkeeper George Chikooka.
But the Bankers drew level two minutes into the second half through Uchizi Vunga.
Sulumba claimed a brace and the second for Creck in the 79th minute after being put through by former Silver forward George Chaomba.
But the Reserve Bank of Malawi-sponsored side equalised through Vunga a minute later.
Creck are now seventh with 32 points from 22 games.
In another match, Mighty Tigers edged Bangwe All Stars 1-0 courtesy of Daniel Shadreck’s strike.—The Nation