Wanderers unbeaten run ends with Silver defeat: Malawi TNM Super League
TNM Super League potential title contenders Mighty Be Forward Wanderers suffered their first defeat of the season as they were beaten by Silver Strikers 0-2 at Kamuzu Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
Wanderers were frustrated by a disciplined and organised Silver side which scored their goals through Green Harawa and Victor Limbani to collect maximum points after losing 0-1 against Tigers on Saturday.
The timing was sickening for the Nomads, who had weathered the determined Bankers storm in a difficult second half before going close themselves in the first half through the likes of Muhammad Sulumba and Jabulani Linje.
The leaders headed into the match without testing a defeat in their 9th top-flight game of the campaign.
The Bankers were first to attack through Peter Wadabwa who fired wide instead of feeding Harawa who was in a good position.
The Nomads settled into the match and proved their serious title contenders enjoying more ball possession but could not turn that into goals.
First half ended goalless.
All good things must come to an end and, sure enough, Wanderers unbeaten run was brought to a shuddering halt in the second half.
Silvers got their opening goal just after 57th minute when they after Wanderers defender Francis Mlimbika failed to clear the ball with Richard Chipuwa already beaten in goals and Green Harawa blasted the ball into the net.
Few minutes later, the bankers doubled the advantagea after Chipuwa failed to clear the ball from a corner kick for former Big Bullets midfielder Victor Limbani
to plant the second goal. And sealed the victory.
The Nomads plugged away but created little of note against a belligerent Bankers side in the second half, who tested Richard Chipuwa a number of times through Green Harawa and Rodrick Gonani.
The Nomads also paid the price of missing too many scoring opportunities in the first half
Wanderers team manager Steven Madeira said the blues will bounce back when they face their sworn rivals and voiceferous neighbours Big Bullets next fixture.
“We had clear chances to score in the first half but our strikers lacked confidence. All in all it was another bad day in office. What l can assure our fans is that we will bounce back against Bullets this coming Saturday,” said Madeira.
Wanderers coach Eliya Kananji conceded defeat but was quick to say the race for the championship is far from over.
“Being a first defeat it is painful but we are still on course in our campaign,” he said.
His opposite number Stain Chirwa hailed his side for the victory.
“We were desperate for this result after losing to Tigers yesterday. We deserved to win,”said Chirwa.
Silver coach observed Wanderers were playing under pressure as they wanted to topple Bullets from the top.
“We’re slowly moving towards them and we’ll catch up with them,” he said.
Chirwa also praised his troops for coming hard on the Nomads in the second half after poor first 45 minutes.
The Nomads, who have a game in hand and they will be facing Bullets on Saturday at Kamuzu Stadium, are still second on the log with 21 points from ten games while the Bankers are 4 points adrift of league leaders, Bullets.
The Bankers, who lost their previous game against Azam Tigers on Saturday, moved to third position with 19 points, while Blue eagles and Azam Tigers share 17 points, standing fourth and fifth on the table.
In other matches on Sunday, tenth placed Dedza Young Soccer narrowly beat Kamuzu Barracks who are eight on the log, 1-0 at Dedza Stadium.
Red Lions, now on position six, beat 13th placed Mzuni FC 2-1 and came back to the south with six points after they beat 12th placed Moyale Barracks 2-1 on Saturday.
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