Wanderers beat Mafco 2-1: Pay tribute to Ishmael Khamisa ex-FA Malawi boss

Mighty Be Forward Wanderers on on Sunday continued their fine form by beating Salima based soldiers Mafco F.C in a friendly match played at the Balaka Stadium.

The Nomads who on Saturday whacked Zomba based soldiers Red Lions 3-1 in another friendly , maintained the first line up which started on Saturday.

But signs of fatigue were exposed as they started the game with a low pace.

The game started by observing a one minute silence in respect to the departed soul of Ishmael Khamisa who served as Football Association of Malawi (Fam) secretary general and a Mafco member who died in a motorcycle accident.

Both Mafco and Wanderers created little scoring opportunities in the opening 20 minutes but the Nomads had a better control of ball possession.

The best chance for the Nomads came in the 28th minute but midfielder Luka Milanzi’s long range effort missed the target by a whisker.

Mafco failed to penetrate the well organized Wanderers defence marshalled by Foster Namwera alongside captain of the day Bongani Kaipa and Stewart Gerald.

In the 38th minute Jimmy Zakazaka produced a beautiful setup to in-form Peter Wadabwa who dribbled past a defender before rounding Mafco goalkeeper Jailosi Kapalamula to slot the ball in an empty net.

The joy did not last long for the Nyerere family as Vitumbiko Phiri equalised two minutes later.

He produced a thunderous 30 metre drive direct free kick straight to the top right corner beating nomads goal custodian Bester “Abengo” Phiri.

The goal however did not entirely disturb the Nomads as they continued to knock the ball around with Patrick Gunde controlling proceedings on the midfield while Sparrow Msowoya and Mike Kaziputa kept on swapping on the left and right flanks.

Mafco played a more physical game as per tradition of Malawian military teams.

Come second half, Nomads made their first substitution straight from the dressing room bringing in four players.

They introduced youthful with promising future Felix Zulu who has been promoted from Be Forward reserve side, Rafiq “Shehe” Mussa, Ibrahim Sadik and Japanese attacker Genki Nakamula.

They rested Mike Kaziputa, Rafiq Namwera, Luka Milanzi and Sparrow Msowoya who had a quite afternoon.

In the 55th minute, Wanderers were awarded a penalty after Mussa was brought down in the penalty box a decision which did not go well with Mafco players who descended on the referee.

After some minutes, Mafco players cooled down and play resumed.

Jimmy Zakazaka was handed the responsibility of taking the penalty but disappointed as his weak spot kick was served by the ever busy Mafco keeper Jailosi Kapalamula.

Zakazaka however did not look down upon himself as he kept on ticking up front.

Wanderers suffered a huge blow in the 66th minute when their marksman Wadabwa limped off after he was knocked down.

But the tackle that forced him to leave the field of play yielded results as Zakazaka rubbed of his sins of missing the penalty as he flicked into the net a Gunde free kick.

Mafco brought in Linosi Malekano and Saidi Mtekama for Ian Zakazaka and Yohane Malunga who had a gallant game.

The substitution never paid any dividends as the Nomads continued to enjoy possession.

The Nomads enjoyed every moment of their game with nice interchanging of passes and flowerly football from Zakazaka, Nakamula and upcoming star Zulu.

At the end of 90 minutes, it was Wanderers 2 Red Lions 1.

In a post match interview, Mafco Team Manager Lieutenant David Gulaimfa blamed the officiating team accusing them of favouring the blues.

He, however, said he is impressed with the way the boys played.

But Gulaimfa has challenged the Nomads that they won.t beat them in a league fixture.

He admitted that the team still needs some polish up especially upfront for misfiring and central midfield which he said is very slow.

Nomads Technical Director Jack Chamangwana said the team is taking shape and applauded the boys for the fighting spirit.

“The team is taking shape and we just hope that if we continue the same way we have done in these two games, it can help us” Chamangwana told Nyasa Times.

He added: “Everyone wanted to play, everyone is competing and everyone wants to get a place in the team”.

Chamangwana said they prepared well for the two army sides and they were not affected by their physical style of play.

“Its normal for army teams you know they are always physical and we were prepared for them but today’s game was more physical,” he said.

Meanwhile, Chamangwana said the Nomads will not peddle back but rather continue training hard in readiness for the new season.

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