Late goal lift Nomads to 1-0 win over Mponela: Malawi TNM Super League
Visiting giants Mighty ‘Nyerere’ Wanderers had to wait for added time to beat spirited Mponela United 1-0 in a tightly contested TNM Super League match played Sunday, May 12, 2013 at Silver Stadium in Lilongwe.
Mponela, who have won promotion into the elite league this year were impressive from the start and it was difficult to differentiate between the giant and the novice.
The rookies from Mponela controlled the proceedings for the better part of the game but lack of the killer instinct denied them a result.
At one point, referee Simon Jovinala awarded Mponela a goal only to reverse his decision after heavy protests from Wanderers’ players, who argued the ball had entered the net via the side netting.
The referee’s second assistant did not help matters as he first raised his flag then dropped it.
It was after the protests from ‘Nyerere’ that the assistant referee signaled to the referee that it was not a goal.
Wanderers’ newly recruited coach Stewart Mbolemole stunned the crowd when he pulled out impressive Tony Chitsulo, formerly of Silver Strikers for midfielder Nafe Msasa, leaving out unimpressive Victory Mpinganjira, son to his assistant Albert Mpinganjira. The move did not please the crowd, which booed as Chitsulo walked out of the pitch.
It was the introduction of winger Kondwani Kumwenda for Mike Kaziputa that bore fruits for the Nomads.
After failing to beat Mponela goalkeeper Charles Chipeta in a one-on-one situation, Kumwenda made amends few minutes later, when he headed in a throw-in from Bongani Kaipa in added time to give the
Nomads the full points.
Mbolembole admitted after the final whistle that the rookies from Mponela gave them a tough time.
“I never expected the boys to play the way they did but I am happy that we have managed to get the full points. Mponela are a very good side and they gave us a tough time,” said Mbolembole.
His counterpart Benjamin Kumwenda blamed his charges of playing to please the crowd.
“Goals are what matter most in football and you do not have to play thinking about the crowd. However, I am happy that we are improving and very soon we will start getting the results,” said Kumwenda.
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