Wanderers vs Mafco Preview
By Antony Isaiah Jr:
From a disappointing outing in the FDH Bank Cup after succumbing to a 4-0 defeat to their neighbours, Nyasa Big Bullets, Mighty Mukuru Wanderers return into action in the Super League as they welcome Mafco FC at Kamuzu Stadium on Saturday.
Mighty Mukuru Wanderers sit 6th on the 16-member tnm Super League log table with 37 points from 20 games and the title race looks to have already skipped away from them and they chasing for a good position.
They are 18 points adrift the leaders, Nyasa Big Bullets who have collected 55 from 21 games.
On the other hand, Mafco are on number four with 39 points from 23 games.
A win for Mighty Mukuru Wanderers will take them to fourth place should Silver Strikers lose to Blue Eagles on the same say at Bingu National Stadium while a win for Mafco will see them going another week on position four regardless of results from Silver Strikers and Blue Eagles.
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In League, Mighty Wanderers are yet to lick a defeat in the second round since the coming of Alex Ngwira and their only defeat came in the FDH Bank Cup semifinals.
Their last defeat in League was on April 30 when they were punched by Silver Strikers at Silver Stadium by two goals to one. From there, they have played 16 games in all competetions, one loss, 10 wins and 5 draws.
They are coming from a 1-0 victory over Silver Strikers.
Crossing the floor to Salima based Soldiers, Mafco FC, they have enjoyed a good run of results as of late. Out of their last 20 games, they have lost only three times, against Bullets, Changalume Barracks [FDH Bank] and Moyale Barracks.
They are coming from back to back stalemates against Mighty Tigers and Kamuzu Barracks.
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The match between the two sides gives the spectators the joy especially when played at Kamuzu Stadium where Mafco FC display beautiful football coupled by the quality of the pitch.
However, from their last 28 meetings, Mighty Mukuru Wanderers have managed to record 15 wins while Mafco have a record of 8 with 5 games ending in stalemate.
From their last 13 meetings, Mighty Wanderers have won 7 times while Mafco have win thrice.
In the first round, points were shared at Chitowe after Misheck Botomani cancelled Mphatso Filimob’s strike.
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A trip to Blantyre for Mafco has been boosted by the returning of former Baroka FC striker, Richard Mbulu after Fam given Mafco the green lights to use the lethal forward.
Football Association of Malawi Club Licencing and Compliance Manager Casper Jangale said the former Baroka forward was cleared together with Robin Ngalande, who has joined Wanderers on a year-long deal from Ethiopian Premier League side Saint George.
Mbulu made his second debut for the Club in a goalless draw against KB last week.
βWe cleared him mid last week. We did our part and it is now up to the club to start using him,β Jangale said.
Mbulu is in jovial mood to return to local football four years after signing for relegated South Africa DStv Premiership side Baroka in 2019.
The “Bad News” striker who made his name known by everyone in Malawi in 2016 when he grabbed the Golden Boot award said he will work hard to earn back his place in yhe starting Xi.
βI am training hard to regain my scoring form. I am happy to see my friends again. There is a lot of competition here and winning a starting place requires hard work. I am available for selection and it is up to my coaches to decide when I can start playing,β Mbulu said.
On the other hand, Mighty Wanderers face a major blow as they will miss their two midfielders, Francis Mkonda and Vitumbiko Kumwenda who have accumulated three yellow cards.
Otherwise, Alex Ngwira said all his troops are ready for the game.
