Mind the gap, Silver edge Wanderers to blow title wide open: Malawi TNM Super League

The TNM Super League title race was blown wide open  on Saturday as Silver Strikers hitman  Mathews Sibale’s double propelled the Area 47 outfit  to beat league leader   Mighty Be Forward Wanderers 2-1 in a match played before jam packed Silver Stadium in Lilongwe.

Wanderers’ lead over closest rivals Silver remains at just two points are at the summit of the 16-team log-table with 44 points from 19 games while Silver are second with 42 points from 20 matches.

The league leaders are slowly losing the plot   of ending their 10-year league title drought if results  of recent matches are anything to go by.

Wanderers have recorded a third away defeat, first was against Civil Sporting at Civo 2-0 at Civo Stadium and second was at the hands of their traditional rivals, Nyasa Big Bullets 1-0 at Bingu National Stadium.

The Bankers have maintained their unbeaten run.

Wanderers are also expected to have another tough assignment against Eagles, who are fourth on the table with 32 points from 19 games.

During Saturday’s match, one of the league’s leading scorers Mathews Sibale increased his goal tally to 12 and he is leading

Hero of the day and man of the match, Sibale  together  with Nomads midfielder Rafiq Namwera were sent off by referee, Chidziwitso Simbi in the second half  after they had exchanged blows.

Despite missing top notch keeper Bright Munthali to national duty in Tanzania, Silver had to bank it’s hopes on second choice goalie, Blessings Kameza who ably demonstrated that his has ability to deliver for the team.

Wanderers took the lead in the 4th minute through free scoring veteran goal poacher, Essau Kanyenda after defensive lapse by Chisomo Mpachika and Yinusu Sherif.

Silver’s Green Harawa could have levelled the scores in the 11th minute when he connected home Young Chimodzi Jnr cross but Wanderers custodian Richard Chipuwa tamed it.

Eight minutes later, Sibale cancelled Wanderers lead when he nodded home Mike Roberts cross from the left flank after outpacing struggling, Bongani Kaipa.

In the 38 minute Sibale’s powerful header was well guarded by  keeper, Chipuwa and a minute later Wanderers striker,  Peter Wadabwa blasted the ball wide at the mercy of keeper, Kameza.

Sibale doubled the lead two minutes into added time when he headed home Duncan Nyoni’s free kick from left flank.

The Bankers were all smiles as they headed for dressing room for a recess and they were leading 2-1.

Wanderers made a double substition at the start of the second half they brought in Lucky Malata and Julius Kajembe for Kondwani Lufeyo and Wadabwa.

The move paid dividend as Malata was made to clear the ball on the line twice from Blessings Tembo and Harawa’s efforts in the 51st and 53rd minutes.

Wanderers introduced Yamikani Chester for Rafiq Mussa while the Bankers throw fresh legs of Timothy Chitedze and Damiano Kunje for Binwell Katinji and Nyoni.

In the 69th minute Sibale and Namwera were given marching order as they tried to manhandle each other.

The departure for Sibale left no threat to Wanderers and the visitors tried to surge forward by failed to unlock solid defence marshaled by Sherif, Roberts, Mpachika and Travor Kalema.

Veteran Wanderers midfielder and captain Joseph Kamwendo nearly  pulled out a shocker in the day in minutes when his curved free kick out side the edge of the penalty box was superbly saved by Silver’s goal minder, Kameza.

Silver based Dowa diehard, fan  Eric Tchola Kamanga said his team has now enhanced it’s chances for the title race.

” Last week’s draw against Dwangwa was a painful one to us and they made us to lose hope. This win has energized us that we can make it,” he pointed out.

Wanderers die hard, Isaac Nyirenda admitted that a better team in the first half won the game.

” We had problems in defence and our defenders were failing to contain Sibale particularly in the air. We need to revisit this because tomorrow’s game against Blue Eagles will equally be tough,” he observed.

Nomads missed the services of their three key players striker Jabulani Linje, midfielder Felix Zulu and defender Stanley Sanudi, who have travelled with the Flames to Tanzania for an international friendly.

 

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