…as MAFCO destroy Chitipa United, Moyale Barracks stumble at home
Be Forward Wanderers opened a five-point advantage over second placed Silver Strikers at the top of the TNM Super League with a convincing 2-0 victory over fifth placed Blue Eagles at Nankhaka Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
The Nomads suffered a disappointing 2-1 defeat at the hands of the Central Bankers on Saturday but on Sunday they made sure to collect three points to sit comfortably at the top as the race for the championship has reached its boiling point.
Trouble for the home team started just after three minutes when their captain Micium Mhone was yellow carded following a rough play on Joseph Kamwendo before being sent off in the second half after foul mouthing the second assistant referee.
Eagles have suffered league defeats home and away to the same opponents and the Area 30 based side are now left to fight for a top-four place.
Wanderers’ man of the moment Essau Kanyenda gave the visitors a 30th minute lead when he made his way into Eagles’ territory before slotting past the advanced John Soko in goals for the hosts.
Eagles were eager to level the score line soon after conceding but unlocking Wanderers’ defence proved too difficult as Richard Chipuwa was hardly troubled in goals by Micium Mhone and Mphatso Phillimon who were leading the attack for the cops.
Come second half, the match lacked pace as both teams opted for aerial balls, resulting into fewer chances created.
However, things got worse for the home side when Mhone was given a second yellow card after foul mouthing the second assistant referee to reduce their hopes of making a comeback very difficult.
Wanderers then brought in Yamikani Chester and Kondwani Lufeyo for Mike Kaziputa and Bongani Kaipa while Gilbert Chirwa, Luka Milanzi and John Malidadi Jnr were all brought in by the hosts as they tried to force something out of the game.
But Eagles’ hopes were completely dented with eight minutes to go when a mistake by Soko allowed Kanyenda to double his tally to send the whole stadium into a frenzy as the Orange side sealed the match to ignite their lead at the top.
The result sees Wanderers sitting at the top with 47 points from 20 games while Eagles are stuck on 5th position with 32 points from the same number of games.
In other matches, Maurice Chiumia, Kalisto Kalinda and Lanken Mwale inspired MAFCO FC to a comfortable 3-0 victory over relegation bound Chitipa United to dislodge Moyale Barracks in 6th position with 31 points.
At Mzuzu Stadium, Kamuzu Barracks came from behind to beat Moyale Barracks 2-1 to move to 10th position with 25 points from 20 games played courtesy of strikes from Manasseh Chiyesa and Zinjani Yona, with Zondiwe Munthali scoring the hosts’ consolation goal.
