Be Forward Wanderers and Silver Strikers’ chances of winning the 2018 TNM Super League title are now minimal after the two settled for a point each on Saturday afternoon.
The two teams played out to a one all draw in a match played at Kamuzu Stadium which one of the sides was required to get maximum points to stay closer to leaders Nyasa Big Bullets who have got 58 points so far.
The match started on a high note as both sides were looking for an early goal and it was Wanderers who got it halfway into the first half through Zicco Mkanda who connected Stanley Sanudi’s cross to the bottom left corner.
Few minutes later, the visitors equalized through Mike Tete’s spectacular scissors kick after the Nomads’ defence went asleep to give the Bankers hope of getting all the three points as the battle for Malawi’s best football accolade continues.
In the second half, both sides looked aggressive as the Bankers tried for several times to get the winner but thanks to Wanderers goalie, Nenani Juwaya, who was busy saving powerful shots from the visitors’ frontline men which saw him getting a man of the match award at the end.
There were no goals in the second half for the teams as the game ended 1-1.
Assistant coach for the Bankers Peter Mgangira in an interview regretted chances which his boys failed to utilize but he was quick to say that getting a single point away is not an easy result.
“We had a lot of the chances to easily win this match, there were a lot of things which happened before this match but our boys kept that aside that and stayed focused.
“We are now returning to Lilongwe with a single point, we are happy this isn’t a bad result,” said Mgangira.
On his part, Wanderers gaffer Bob Mpinganjira said despite the draw they are still in the contention for the title and he described the match as tough to both sides.
“It was a difficult match, you can see that we got a goal but it has ended in a draw.
“The title challenge isn’t yet over, we still have seven matches to go so we will work hard and make sure that we get good results,” said Mpinganjira.
Silver Strikers are second on the log with 52 points from 27 matches whereas Wanderers are third with 46 points. Both sides are remaining with seven matches to wrap up the 2018 season.
Elsewhere, goals from Isaac Msiska and Gomezgani Chirwa were enough for Civil Sporting club to claim maximum points with a 2-0 win over already relegated Nchalo United in a match played at Kalulu Stadium.
Presently, Civil are fourth on the standings with 39 points while Nchalo are first from the bottom with 13 points and both teams are remaining with just three matches to wrap up their 2018 top flight assignments.
