Sorry Nomads suffer another defeat to Mafco: Malawi TNM Super League
Straight from a 1-0 defeat in the hands of Blantyre united on Saturday, Mafco F.C resurrected and went on to turn the tables to push Mighty Wanderers to another defeat in a match played at Balaka Stadium under a very hot weather on Sunday afternoon.
The loss means the Nomads have now gone six games without a win but only managed to accumulate three points from three draws.
It proved a dismal afternoon for the Nomads who started the game on a slow and disappointing pace as they failed to create accurate passes.
However, Mafco took control of the game and it was not surprising for the Salima based soldiers when they took the lead in the 16th minute through Zasher Nong’oneza who had a grand game.
Nong’oneza directly scored from outside the penalty box from a free kick that was handed by the referee after Osward “Papa” Mkagula was brought down by a Nomads defender.
The goal awakened Wanderers players who started to display classic football and show commitment giving false hopes from to their supporters.
Saidi Mtekama for Mafco escaped a red card after producing a reckless and deliberate foul on Wanderers Captain Alfred Manyozo Junior and was rather flashed with a yellow card.
The first Nomads fierce attack was from a free kick taken by Innocent Dzimbiri in the 21st minute which was nicely served by the ever alert Mafco goalkeeper Jailosi Kapalamula formerly of Epac F.C.
Kapalamula, who was in top form, again beautifully served a Timothy Chitedzes effort before Manyozo Junior blasted the ball over the bar moments later with Kapalamula out of his line.
Immediately after recess, Mighty Wanderers brought in Mike “Malouda” Kaziputa who replaced the tired legs of Benard Harawa.
But the substitution could not change anything to the disappointment of Nomads Technical Panel and supporters as Mafco added the second goal.
Paul Phiri took advantage of a loose ball deep inside the Nomads half to produce a 25 meter thunderbolt beyond the reach of Nomads goalie Bright Phiri.
The Nomads again made a double substitution bringing in Kondwani Kumwenda and Mayeso Mphanje for Jacob Ngwira and Abraham Kamwendo.
The Nomads fans protested against the substitution of Kamwendo who was performing far much better than the rest of the players left on the field of play.
Nomads have to blame themselves for lacking composure in front of goal as they ended up missing the target.
They twice came close to reduce the arrears but the first attempt by substitute Mayeso Mphanje hit the cross bar with Kapalamula already beaten followed by a rebound from Manyozo Junior which was cleared off
the line in a goal mouth scramble.
Drama and Violence
In the 79th minute, the match was stopped for about five minutes after Nomads fans started throwing missiles in the field of play in protest against the decisions by the assistant referee accusing him making strange decisions against the blues.
This prompted Bullets F.C supporters to start chanting “akugenda! Akugenda!”.
They later own started chanting “Chibale Chatha! Chibale Chatha!”.
This was in reference to the unusual development which occurred on Saturday at the Kamuzu stadium when Bullets played Kamuzu Barracks where Wanderers supporters joined Bullets in cheering their rivals . Bullets went
on to win the match 2-1.
Post-match interview
Speaking in an interview with Nyasa Times after the match, Mighty Wanderers Coach Stuart Mbolembole described the result as disappointing.
“I am really disappointed with the outcome of today’s match but all in all that’s what happens in football; we tried our best but it wasn’t our day” said Mbolembole.
On the contrary, it was all smiles for Mafco Coach Stereo Gondwe who praised his boys for a job well done.
“Let me congratulate the boys for a job well done, we lost yesterday and our game plan today aimed at winning; I told the boys we lost three points (Saturday) and we needed to get that three points back today,” said Gondwe.
Elsewhere
Evirom held League Leaders Kamuzu Barracks to a 2-2 draw at Civo Stadium while Moyale Barracks was beaten by rookies Mponela United 3-1.
Red Lions beat Mzuzu United 2-0 at the Zomba Community Centre Ground while at the Nankhaka Stadium Blue Eagles and Civo also played out a 1-1 draw.
