KB, Wanderers share spoils
By Antony Isaiah Jr:…
The new era at Mighty Mukuru Wanderers has kicked off with a goalless draw against Kamuzu Barracks at Champions Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
The new technical director, Mark Simon Harrison bade for patient from Mighty Mukuru Wanderers fans on his first interview after landing as change takes time.
“But its a process, it’s not gonna happen in a one night but hopefully, next season we will start be looking as a different team. It’s a project, it’s not an over night situation.
“Obviously, I need to look at the squad in all the three teams and I have got time to assess everything. Help and support the Coaches in trying to improve the situation.
“I have signed a two-year contract and within that two years we should make a very big difference to the football club,” quoted Harrison.
Yes, Nomads have to be patient for their success as Kamuzu Barracks rendered them a good run of their money in the entire 90 minutes.
𝐖𝐇𝐀𝐓 𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐏𝐄𝐍𝐄𝐃? Straight from their 1-0 victory over Mafco Football Club, Mighty Wanderers went into the match hoping for Maximum points as they looking to cement their place in the top 4.
Alex Ngwira in conjuction with new technical director, Mark Harrison named a strong starting Xi which included Piliran Mapira between the sticks with the cover of Ahamadu Kung’unde, Miracle Gabeya, Joseph Balakasi and Peter Cholopi while Yamikani Chester, Isaac Kaliati, Vitumbiko Kumwenda, and Francis Mkonda formed the four-man midfield. Muhammad Sulumba and Vincent Nyangulu started upfront.
On the other hand, Kamuzu Barracks who are in hot form in the second round were coming from 2-0 victory over Sable Farming and Blessings Kawanga entrusted Leman Nthala between the goals, Mike Ntonyo, Horace Mchoma, Hope Namadzunda, and Herbert Wayekha were provided him with a cover.
Martias Nyirenda, Chimwemwe Chisambi, Christopher Mtambo and Patrick Banda were in the engine room while Juma Yatina and Zeliat Nkhoma paired upfront.
Kamuzu Baracks were on the front foot from kick off as Patrick Banda, Chimwemwe Chisambi, Christopher Mtambo were outshining Mighty Wanderers’ midfield.
Former Masters Security star, Zeliati Nkhoma lacked composure as his five goal attempts went wide to the disappointment of their fans.
Mighty Wanderers broke through the left through Vitumbiko Kumwenda but Hope Namadzunda was quick to stop him and he went direct into the book of referee, Ester Zimba in the 7th minute.
Matthias Nyirenda, Patrick Banda combined before releasing Zeliati Nkhoma who fired his shot off target from close range before another chance wasted by Mathias Nyirenda.
The Soldiers won two quick corner-kicks in two minutes but they failed to utilise them as Hope Namadzunda’s last header flew over the bar.
From the recess, Mighty Mukuru Wanderers seemed to have come with plan B as they started the last 45 minutes with a hunger for the goal. Muhhamad Sulumba came nearly to hit the roof of the net just after a minute from the resuming but his looping header went into the palms of goalkeeper Leman Nthala.
In his search for creativity in the team, Alex Ngwira made double changes as he pulled out Vincent Nyangulu and Vitumbiko Kumwenda for Wisdom Mpinganjira and Misheck Bottoman in the 59th minute while Kamuzu Baracks pulled out Chimwemwe Chisambi for Gregory Nachipo.
Mathews Msamba who was signed from Bangwe All Stars earned his debut for Wanderers as Francis Mkonda paved way for him.
A promising attack for KB was stopped by Miracle Gabeya just outside the penalty area where referee awarded a free kick to the hosts, but Horace Mchoma lifted his attempts over both the war and the bar with 20 minutes before the final whistle and that was the last clear chance between the two sides.
𝐖𝐇𝐀𝐓 𝐃𝐎𝐄𝐒 𝐈𝐓 𝐌𝐄𝐀𝐍? Mighty Mukuru Wanderers will have yo wait for their first win under the mentorship of their new technical director, Mark Harrison who signed a two-year contract with the Club on October 1 this year.
Kamuzu Barracks will have yo wait for their first defeat at their new home, Champions as they are able to shine at the new constructed ground.
Kamuzu Baracks are yet to he beaten in the second round in all the ten games that they have played.
The stalemate changes nothing on the table for the two sides and it means that Kamuzu Barracks have failed to reclaim their second place that they lost to Blue Eagles on Friday.
The Soldiers remain on number three with 48 points from 25 games while Mighty Mukuru Wanderers are on number 4 with 41 points from 22 games.
𝐖𝐇𝐀𝐓 𝐍𝐄𝐗𝐓? Mighty Mukuru Wanderers will return to their home soil, Kamuzu Stadium in their next game as they will he welcoming the relegated Rumphi United.
As for Kamuzu Baracks, a home game against Silver Strikers will follow but the fixture is subject to change. They lost at Silver Stadium by 3 goals to nill, their last loss in the tnm Super League.
𝐖𝐇𝐀𝐓 𝐖𝐀𝐒 𝐒𝐀𝐈𝐃? Head Coach for Mighty Mukuru Wanderers, Alex Ngwira described the game as tough and hard as his charges were playing against the wind.
“It wasa very hard and tough game as we were playing against the wind in the first half. In the second half, that’s when we come back in the game and we were displaying our game. We had chances but we failed to score but that’s part of football. We will sit back and start all over again. We noted some mistakes and we need yo work on that and stamp to our philosophy,” said Ngwira.
Assistant coach for Kamuzu Barracks, Blessings Kawanga heaped praise on to his boys for the performance but said his players failed to utilise the chances that they created.
“We thank the boys, we did concede any goal but we needed to win at all costs. It was just unfortunate that we did not take the chances that we had but we will rectify the mistakes when we go back,” said Kawanga.
