League gets hot, Wanderers, Eagles drop points as Silver, Lions Bag Maximum points

Title contenders, Mighty Wanderers and Blue Eagles on Saturday afternoon dropped points in Super League after both teams playing 1-all draws in their respective matches against Mafco and Ekwendeni Hammers respectively while Silver Strikers survived Tigers’ scare in Blantyre.

MAFCO FC 1-1 Mighty Mukuru Wanderers

Former Wizards FC striker, Mischek Bottoman came off the bench to extricate a point for Mighty Wanderers against Mafco FC at Chitowe Stadium after Mphatso Philimon broke the deadlock for the hosts.

There was a goal drought in the first half despite both teams having scoring opportunities.

Earlier in the second half, the former Silver Strikers and Blue Eagles forward Mphatso Philimo netted a sumptuous goal to give Mafco FC a lead in the 57th minute.

Sensing danger, Mighty Wanderers Head Coach made changes as Vincent Nyangulu and Isaac Kaliati were thrown in to ignite the fire for the Nomads.

Chiukepo Msowoya was also substituted for Misheck Bottomani.

A pressing football started to be witnessed from Mighty Wanderers as they were forcing for an equalising goal and potentially the winning goal.

Persistent Mafco managed to contain Nomads but Botoman bagged a beautiful goal to yank the point for the Lali Luban side.

Following the draw, Mighty Wanderers failed to use the game-in advantage to close the gap with Blue Eagles.

They remain 3rd with 24 points from 13 games while Mafco are on 6th with 19 points from 13 games.

Mighty Wanderers will face Civil Services United at Civo Stadium in Lilongwe.

Blue Eagles 1-1 Ekwendeni Hammers

Elsewhere, at Nankhaka, Blue Eagles flunked to close the gap with Nyasa Big Bullets as they were held to a 1-all gridlock by Ekwendeni Hammers.

The long-shots master, Gilbert Chirwa scored barely two after the restart to give the Area 30 Cops a lead but their spree lasted no longer as Wongani Lungu equalised for the Hammers.

Christopher Sibale, assistant coach for Blue Eagles said they wanted a win but things didn’t go as they planned.

Sibale said, “It was a nice game. Our opponents were better than us in the first half but came second half we made some changes and we started playing he way we wanted. We scored the goal and they equalised. We had the winning goal but it was ruled out for offside. It’s part of football, we just have to go back and see where to rectify.”

Taking his turn, Etson Kadenge Mwafulirwa, head coach for Ekwendeni said it was a game that they could have won.

“We are playing well but we are not using the chances at hand. We have problem in finishing. It’s unfortunate that we haven’t won,” said Mwafulirwa.

This is the fifth draw for the Eagles in a row after Dedza Dynamons, Civil service United, Kamuzu Barracks and Mighty Wanderers.

They crouch second on the table with 30 points from 14 games and they are meandering behind the Leaders with 5 points but Bullets have played a game less.

Mighty Tigers 0-1 Silver Strikers

In Blantyre, Duncan Nyoni’s first-half strike was enough to give the Area 47-based team a first win in four games as they beat Tigers at Mpira stadium.

It was Silver’s first coup in Blantyre against Mighty Tigers after 5 years.

Mighty Tigers Head Coach Trevor Kajawa said it was a worrisome that the team is not scoring.

“We had chances but we are blunt at front, that’s the area that we need to strengthen. We are building a team, we will bounce back,” said Kajawa.

Silver Strikers interim coach, McDonald Yobe heaped praise on to his charges for affirming the only goal that they scored.

He said, “We managed to score and keeping it up to the last minute, we are happy. Congratulations to the boys.”

With the win, Bankers climb to 4th on the table with 20 points from 13 games.

As for the Tigers, this was the sixth defeat in a row and they have slipped to 11th with 15 points from 15 games they have wrapped up their first round of the 2022 TNM Super League.

Moyale Barracks 1-2 Red Lions

In Mzuzu, Newman Mwansamale and Royal Bokosi scored for Red Lions while Brown Magaga netted for Moyale as Lions of Kaning’ina suffered a home a top 8 lapse.

Moyale Barracks Coach, Prichard Mwansa said it was a painful defeat.

He said, “Yes, we have lost the game. We didn’t play well as Moyale Barracks, especially in the second half but in the first half, we started very well. We created a lot of chances but we failed to utilise them. We made a lot of mistakes that’s why they punished us, it’s a painful defeat.”

His counterpart, Nelson Chirwa said though they win, the officiating team was not on their side.

He said, “It wasn’t a good game because our opponents were very rough on us and also the officiation was not good. We are happy with the win. Getting three points away from home it’s a bug achievement.”

With the victory, Red Lions move up to 9th with 16 points from 13 games.

Action in TNM Super League will continue on Sunday with Kamuzu Barracks hosting Nyasa Big Bullets, Ekwendeni Hammers visiting Dedza Dynamos.