Nomads disappoint again!

Malawi Blantyre based side, Mighty Wanderers came from behind twice to savage a 2-2 draw against Blue Eagles in a league match played at Kamuzu Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

Both teams had a weekend to forget last week, with Wanderers collecting a point from the possible 6 and Eagles losing their two outings to Dedza Young Soccer and Epac FC respectively.

The Nomads were a better side in the opening minutes as Jabulani Linje and Muhamad Sulumba wasted some clear cut chances inside the opening 10 minutes of the half as Eagles struggled a bit in the midfield.

However, against all odds, it was the visitors who took a lead just before the half hour mark. Kondwani Kumwenda handled the ball just close to Wanderer’s penalty box, allowing Eliya Kabingu to step in and slotted past Peter Munthali in goals for the Nomads.

But Eagle’s lead lasted only four minutes as Linje scored a stunner following a blunder by Osward Maonga in defense for the visitors, 1-1.

Sulumba could have doubled his team’s lead but fired wide inside the penalty box when he was released by Jacob Ngwira.

At the other end, Phillip Masiye had his long range well cleared by Boston Kabango who was alittle bit rusty in defense for the Lali Lubani boys.

Blue Eagles had a clear cut chance towards the end of the first half through Gilbert Chirwa who was found unmarked by John Junior Malidadi but the latter’s double kick missed the goal mouth with an inch. Come into the second half, Phillip Masiye paved way for Gregory Nachipo whilst the Nomads made a double substitution, bringing in Ibrahim Sadick for Sparrow Msowoya and Bester Phiri for the injured Munthali.

The half was dull as both teams failed to find their rhythm.

Sulumba was at it again when he dribbled past three Eagles’ defenders only to fire wide from the close range. Minutes later, the former Blantyre United forward created another golden opportunity when he was set through by Kumwenda only to send his shot wide from Eagle’s goal post.

The Nomads then introduced Luka Milanzi for Mike Kaziputa in order to try and find the much needed goals. But it was the visitors who restored back their lead in a dramatic fashion.

A corner from Kabingu was cleared by Nomads defence only to meet Malidadi Junior who made no mistake but to head past defenseless Phiri, 2-1. Just when everybody thought the Nomads were yet again in the troubled waters, they got the leveler.

A long ball from Francis Mulimbika was headed back by Alupheous Nyoni but was handled by Steve Chagoma, leaving the referee with no choice but to award the Nomads a penalty from which Milanzi converted to put the game at level. The hosts tried their level best to score the winning goal but Eagles held on for the two teams to share a point a peace.

Speaking to the media after the final whistle, Nomads coach Eliya Kananji was very disappointed with the result.

“Honestly this is not what I wanted this afternoon, we needed a win but all in all, a point gained is better than a point lost. “This has been the worst season for all Nomads supporters but we will try to win the remaining games so that we should avoid being voted for a place in the Standard Bank Knockout Cup,” he said.

His opposite number Declerk Msakakuona said his charges failed to kill off the game despite taking a lead twice.

“We should have killed off the game when we scored the second goal but they equalized just after two minutes. It has not been a good season for us because we are always good in the first round but we disappoint when results matters most in the second round, I am very disappointed,” he said.

The Nomads are now on position 7 with 32 points from 22 games whilst Blue Eagles are 4th with 37 points from 23 games.

Chagoma was named man of the match.