KB inflict Nomads major title blow: Malawi TNM Super League

Mighty Be Forward Wanderers title hopes suffered a major blow as they failed to close the gap on leaders Big Bullets in the TNM Super League but credit to their supporters for keeping a sense of humour as they chanted “ Nyerere will come back to bite” as their side slumped to a second defeat in two games at Kamuzu Stadium .

The Nomads were sluggish throughout and deservedly lost 0-1 to Kamuzu Barracks on Saturday.

A second half goal earned Kamuzu Barracks a deserved victory in a fixture both teams drew 1-1 in the first round.

The soldiers were excellent without being scintillating, it was the sluggishness and passivity of the Nomads that was the most surprising feature of the game.

Despite the wealth of attacking talent at Kananji’s disposal, Wanderers might not have got on to the score-sheet at all but for an opportunist strike from considerable distance by a defensive midfielder.

The game came crackling to life a quarter of an hour when Muhammad Sulumba overhit a back pass to Amadu Ali. The goalkeeper dealt with it comfortably enough.

In the 30th minute, Ibrahim Sadik enjoying a run at left-side, whipped in the most inviting of crosses that Victor Nyirenda failed to utilize.

If that was a bright start the afternoon got steadily better for the home side in the next few minutes. Richard Chipuwa had to be alert to keep out a header from Manase Chiyesa .

Chipuwa saved again when Chiyesa sent in a shot from distance.

Good work by Isaac Kaliati and right back of the moment in Malawi, Stanely Sanu led to Ibrahim Sadik before finding Kondwani Kumwenda in space in the centre of the pitch, and spotting an opportunity but alas! The ball went over the bar.

Second half had seen Kananji taking off Victor Nyirenda and Muhammad Sulumba for Mapopa Kaunda and Luka Milanzi before making another substation of Enock Likoswe for Sparrow Msowoya.

However, things did not change as Kaunda living off scraps of possession and neither Msowoya nor Milanzi make any impression on the game.

In the 67th minute Milanzi changed that perception with one imperious swing of his left boot, sending the ball rocketing into Amadu Ali’s top corner with a shot that was still rising as it crossed the line.

From a position of complete dominance, Kamuzu Barracks spent the remainder of the second half on the back foot, defending too deep and inviting Wanderers to come at them.

Wongani Kaipa had a chance to equalize but his powerful header went off target to the delight of ganyu fans who chanted “Asilikali ee kunkhondo”.

After the final whistle, the Nomads stands went dead silence that even a coin could be heard, while the ganyu fans celebrated with the soldiers by chanting , ‘ Ayilira, Ayilira’.

Some notable moments in the game was when Mapopa Kaunda was given marching orders for a foul, while Kamuzu Barracks striker Kelvin Malikebu missed a penalty in the first half.

Nomads now face an increasingly uphill task to win the championship with Bullets boasting a significant lead at the top and remain unbeaten.

In Nchalo, Mafco FC inflicted pain on Azam Tigers with a 1-0 victory.

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