Wanderers starts season with win: Malawi TNM Super League

Two days into the 2015 Malawi TNM Super League season there already is a familiar sight at the top of the standings. Mighty Be Forward Wanderers begun the title campaign with an emphatic 3-1 victory against stubborn Epac FC at the Kamuzu Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

The Nomads—parading six new recruits Stanley Sanudi, Jimmy Zakazaka, Isaac Kaliyati, Malumbo Gondwe, Rafik Mussa and Muhammad Sulumba—were impressive and made astatement of intent in their pursuit to league title campaign.

Sulumba was a hero of the the day when he scored a brace for Wanderers , with the second goal coming in when Wanderers were playing less with one player as they were reduced to 10 men after winger Mike Kaziputa’s dismissal for a second bookable offence late in the game.

Striker Luka Milanzi scored the other goal with an easy low volley, while the visitors scored their lone goal courtesy of Kelvin Nthetho.

Sulumba had put the Nomads ahead in the 20th minute when heading in Isaac Kaliyati’s cross early in the game; only for Nthentho to equalise five minutes later through a cross-like shot which beat Wanderers goalkeeper Richard Chipuwa at the near post.

Epac struggled to impose themselves on the Nomads in the first half especially on the midfield where the Nomads dominated ball possession with Rafiq Mussa and Malumbo Gondwe being the architect.

In the 37th minute, Jimmy Zakazaka who had a who partnership with Sulumba did well to dig out a cross just before the ball ran out of the play only for the ball floated beyond the far post.

Dave Moya’s goal-bound header cannoned off the bar as Epac tried to turn the momentum back in their favour.

Striker Luka Milanzi put Wanderers back in the lead as half time ended 2-1.

In the second half Elijah Kananji then sent on Cuthbert Sinetre, Ted Sumani and Jacob Ngwira to tighten his defence after Kaziputa was sent for an early shower.

Sulumba was guilty of an even worse miss in the 65th minute when the Nomads striker somehow contrived to head the ball off target with only the goalkeeper to beat.

Epac failed to utilize the Nomads red card as their strikers jittered inside the box three times.

Dave Moya fed Clement Mvula down the left side of the penalty area and he cut inside to hit a weak shot straight at Chipuwa.

It has a great day for coach Elia Kananji to start the campaign with a win and he hailed his charges for executing a game plan to the letter.

Wanderers technical director Yasin Osman also hailed his boys for what he described a super b performance.

“Last season we had difficulties with Epac but today we are delighted to have collected three points,” said Osman.

Epac FC coach Leo Mpulula blamed his players for gifting the Nomads two goals.

“ We gifted them two soft goals,” Mpulula told reporters in post-match interview.

“It is painful because we were not supposed to lose this game. All in all we will rectify our problems in the next match,” said Mpulula.

In other games on Sunday, Azam Tigers lost 1-0 to Mafco whereas Moyale beat Kamuzu Barracks by a similar margin.

 

Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV :

Sharing is caring!