Wanderers spoil Bankers’ home coming party: Malawi TNM Super League
Barely five months after dampening Silver Strikers’ TNM Super League title celebrations at Civo Stadium, Mighty ‘Nyerere’ Wanderers were at it again on Saturday, August 03, 2013, spoiling the Bankers’ home coming party with a 1-0 beating of their hosts at a packed Silver Stadium in Lilongwe’s Area 47.
This was the first game for the bankers to be staged at their home base since the home-match ban imposed on the side by Super League of Malawi (Sulom) in February this year.
However, the home-coming party ended on a sour note as the visiting Nyerere from Blantyre carted home the full points.
Left winger Mike Kaziputa claimed the lone strike that silenced the home fans with a simple tap just seven minutes into the game following a cross from Victor Mpinganjira, which was flicked into his path by Diverson Chilemba.
Kaziputa, who was quite a handful for the bankers on the left limped off-the field on the dot of half-time with a thigh injury and was replaced by Mapopa Musukwa.
Both sides made changes in the second half with Silver bringing in fading striker Rodrick Gonani and winger Davie Moya for Blessings Tembo and Chawanangwa Kaonga respectively while the Nomads introduced Jacob Ngwira and youthful Kondwani Kumwenda for Alfred Manyozo Junior and Innocent Dzimbiri but the score-board never changed even after eight minutes of added time.
Wanderers’ coach Steward Mbolembole praised his charges for putting up a solid performance especially at the back, where they never gave Silver a chance.
“It was a tough game and I commend the boys for their discipline. We were so compact especially at the back and in midfield and never gave Silver a chance. That’s why they resorted to long balls,” said Mbolembole.
One of Silver’s assistant coaches Hellings Mwakasungula conceded defeat, saying his side was unlucky not to get a goal.
“We have been having a lot of problems against Wanderers. Even if we play well, we end up losing but the race is still on and we will see who will finish the league on a high note,” said Mwakasungula.
With the win, Wanderers have now joined Blue Eagles on second position with 20 points from 10 games. The two teams are equal in everything from number of games played, goal difference and goals scored and conceded.
The bankers are still eight with 13 points from 10 games. Red Lions, who play Civo United at Civo Stadium tomorrow top the standings with 21 points from 10 games.
