Silver, wanderers record first wins

Mighty Wanderers and Silver Strikers yesterday recorded their first wins of the season.

The Central Bankers and Nomads, who finished last season on second and third position respectively, lost their opening matches.

Silver lost 1-0 to Red Lions at Balaka Stadium while Wanderers fell 2-1 to their traditional rivals Nyasa Big Bullets.

Wanderers beat Kasungu-based TN Stars 2-1 at Mpira Stadium in Blantyre with goals from Francis Nkonda and former Nyasa Big Bullets talismanic striker Chiukepo Msowoya while TN Stars scored through Fabio Kapinde.

Wanderers coach Eddington Ng’onamo made some changes with experienced strikers Msowoya and Muhammed Sulumba dropped in the starting eleven.

Msowoya, who was offloaded at Bullets, scored his first league goal for Wanderers in the 64th minute after former Masters Security star Nkonda’s goal in the 34th minute.

However, Wanderers sweated for the victory with TN Stars menacing attacks in search for an equaliser. They had goalkeeper Willim Thole to thank for his reflexes which kept the visitors at bay.

In a post-match interview, Ng’onamo admitted that it was a tough match, but he was delighted with the victory.

“I would like to congratulate my players. It was a very good performance as far as I am concerned.  I am happy because the players are picking up,” he said.

Commenting on the changes he made, the former Football Association of Malawi technical director said he wanted to expose new players.

TN Stars coach Kondwani Mwalweni said he was impressed with the performance of his charges.

“My players played well despite that we lost. We were second on the ball, but we will catch up,” he said.

Silver laboured to beat Rumphi United 1-0 at Rumphi Stadium. Rumphi United coach Gilbert Chirwa said he was impressed with of his team’s  performance.

In other games, Karonga United held Red Lions 1-1 at Balaka Stadium while Moyale Barracks defeated Civo United 1-0.

Following yesterday’s games, Red Lions are leading with four points from two games, followed by fellow Malawi Defence Force-sponsored outfit Kamuzu Barracks with three points from one game, rookies Dedza Dynamos are third with three points from one game, Ekwendeni Hammers are fourth with three points from one game while Civil Service United complete the top five bracket.

Rumphi United anchor the 16-team table with no points from two games with TN Stars second from bottom and rookies Sable Farming third from bottom.