Wanderers, Silver end first round with victories

Mighty Wanderers and Silver Strikers have wrapped up their first round of the 2022 TNM Super League with victories after whacking Karonga United and Mafco respectively.

In Blantyre, Mishecki Botoman was the main man in Mighty Mukuru Wanderers’ 3-0 thumping Victory over Karonga United at Kamuzu Stadium.

The former Wizards Football Club striker bagged a brace while Muhammad Sulumba converted from 12-yards to cement Lari Luban’s third-place finish in the first round of the 2022 Super League.

In their quest to finish the first round on a high note, Mighty Wanderers’ technical panel had to make changes in the starting Xi and even the system of play itself.

Felix Zulu and Peter Cholopi who have been lined out of the starting Xi on various occasions were given the starting role on the right wing and central defence respectively replacing Chester and Kalowole who have been the favourites in the mentioned positions. Chiukepo Msowoya and Vitumbiko Kumwenda started for misfiring Vincent Nyangulu and Alfred Manyozo.

From the word go, the hosts were a completely better team from that played a dull and kick-and-run football against Civo as they were very dangerous in the offensive zone taking advantage of the Karonga’s sponging defence.

Wanderers came nearly to find an early as Sanudi’s delightful cross behind the defence found Muhammad Sulumba who fell flat to connect it into the net in the 6th minute.

Wanderers’ coaching staff had to bestow Sanudi an attacking role as he was playing as Right wing back to create chances and bring into the world deadly balls for the strikers to work with it. Yes, Sanudi was very dangerous when attacking with his ability to run to the by-line.

In the 13th minute Mischeki Botoman drove the nomads into spree mood when he reacted on Balikinyo’s rebound and wiped it into the net. It was a cross from Felix from the right flank that was cleared away by Karonga which landed on Mwakanyongo’s right foot who connected and Botoman had little to do.

Karonga United players grumbled the decision as they were appealing for offside but the referee’s decision stood.

The goal took Karonga United’s players out of the game and Mighty Wanderers took control of the proceedings in all departments but they were languishing to extend their lead as Yunus Sherif’s led defence formed a rock at the back.

After 24 minutes, Karonga found their rhythm and style of play and in the 28th minute they squandered a huge through Sherif Shamama as Chipuwa denied him from equalising.

Again, in the 35th minute they came close to equalise when Josiah Duwa outmaneuver Balakasi on the right before sending a cross to Sherif Shamama who was unmarked on the edge of the box but to the frustration of his teammates, he opted to blast it into the air frittering the precious chance.

Mighty Wanderers extended their tally in the 40th minute through Muhammad Sulumba from 12 yards after brought down in the penalty area by Gabinho Daudi after whacking him. He scored calmly to take his tally to 8 this season.

The blue but turned to orange camp was leading by 2 goals to bill at the break.

In the second half, Wanderers started from where they stopped and they still pressed Karonga United with aim of finding another goal to take the game to the bay.

Upon sensing danger, Coach for Karonga United made double changes in the 53rd minute to energise his game that was looking dead and buried. Bob Longwe and Steve Saka paved way for Hygiene Mwendepeka and Gift Kasambala.

Misheck Botoman netted his second in the 56th minute connecting Vitumbiko’s well-taken corner with his header to throw the game in the mountain that Crocodiles couldn’t find it.

Three more goals for Wanderers were ruled out for offside in the second half. Yamikani Chester, Vincent Nyangulu, Francis Mlimbika, Wisdom Mpinganjira and Isaac Kaliyati were brought in for Vitumbiko, Chiukepo, Balakasi, Sanudi and Sulumba.

After 90 minutes, Nomads bagged three points into their bag to finish the first round on third position. A soar and bitter start, a sweet end. They started their season with a defeat to Nyasa Big Bullets.

They have 28 points, 2 and 13 points adrift the second placed and the leaders respectively.

Mighty Wanderers have scored 24 goals conceding 12 and Muhammad Sulumba is their top goalscorer with 8 goals followed by Chiukepo Msowoya and Misheck Botoman with 5 and 4 respectively.

Wanderers have played 7 home games. Sniffing a defeat once against Kamuzu Barracks, drawing once against Blue Eagles and winning 5 against Red Lions, Karonga United, Sable Farming, TN Stars and Dedza Dynamos.

16 points out of 21 have been collected at home representing 76.1%.

Away from home, they have played 8 games against Bullets, Silver, Moyale, Mafco, Civo, Tigers, Ekwendeni, and Rumphi United.

Of 8 games, they have lost 2, drawing 3 and winning 3.

12 of 24 points have been amassed on the road representing 50%.

Technical Director for the Nomads, Eddington Ng’onamo was delighted with the performance of his charges.

“We are happy with the three points. We played an attacking football. We scored more goals but the referee denied those clear goals. We pressurised them and we were first on the ball,” said Ng’onamo.

His counterpart, Christopher Nyambose said the first goal that the referee gave Wanderers sickened his boys psychologically.

He said, “My boys were not at their best, we did not play as a team. They prepared well for the game and they have won. They gave us a good run. The first goal was not a clear goal, it was an offside but it happens in football.”

Karonga United sit 9th on the table with 19 points from 14 games and they will wrap up their first round with a home game against Ekwendeni Hammers.

In Dwangwa, Chawangwa Kaonga and Mike Robert were on target in the first half and second respectively as silver strikers beat the Salima-based soldiers, Mafco Football Club by two goals to nill to wrap up their first round in style.

The Central Bankers sit fourth with 26 points, 15 points gap to the league leaders.

Silver have played 8 games at home and they have won four games against Kamuzu Barracks, TN Stars, Rumphi United, and Mighty Wanderers while the other 4 against Civil, Ekwendeni, Moyale and Dedza Dynamos ended in gridlocks.

Silver Strikers have scored 21 goals conceding 12. Stain Davie is their top goal scorer with 7 goals followed by Chawanangwa Kaonga with 6 goals.

16 of 24 points were collected at home representing 66.7%.

They have 7 games away from home. They suffered three defeats on the road against Bullets, Red Lions and Blue Eagles, winning thrice against Mighty Tigers, Mafco and Karonga United and drawing once against Sable Farming.

10 of 21 points bagged on the road representing 47.6%.

Mafco sit 6th with 19 points from 14 games and they will finsih their first round with a game against the rookies, Sable Farming.

Actions continue on Sunday with Rumphi taking on Kamuzu Barracks and Red Lions will welcome Dedza Dynamos at Balaka stadium.