Songo bites Wanderers in Nyasa International Bonanza
By Antony Isaiah Jr………..
John Banda’s UD Songo displayed an exquisite football to bite the Airtel Top-8 Cup season five Champions, Mighty Mukuru Wanderers in their opening fixture of the Nyasa International Bonanza, a game that both teams featured strong line ups.
Beheu Januario scored a stunning goal from the free-kick beating Richard Chipuwa who was sleeping while on duty before Dario Melo chipped over him to leave Mighty Mukuru Wanderers wondered in the second half after having a barren first 45 minutes.
After winning their three of four of their last pre-season friendlies, the home side started the game with only one new signing, Lawrence Chaziya where placed Miracle Gabeya in the heart of defence.
The defeat leaves Mark Harrison’s boys slumped at the bottom of the four-member table as the Champions of the Moรงambola Liga top the table with 3 points.
The Nomads will return in actions on Saturday as they will face their arch rivals, FCB Nyasa Big Bullets who settled for a barren draw earlier today as they were held by Ferroviario De Nampula.
๐๐ ๐๐๐ง๐๐ ๐ก๐ฎ๐ฆ๐๐ฅ๐๐ฌ ๐๐ข๐ ๐ก๐ญ๐ฒ ๐๐ฎ๐ค๐ฎ๐ซ๐ฎ ๐๐๐ง๐๐๐ซ๐๐ซ๐ฌ’ ๐ฆ๐ข๐๐๐ข๐๐ฅ๐
On his return, Flames in-stand Captain, John CJ Banda was the pillar of the Tete based side, UD Songo as he won the midfield battle against Manyozo’s led midfield.
The former Blue Eagles midfielder, Banda was playing in an advanced position and his good pass range, confidence on the ball made him the best player in the field as he was able to dismantle Mukuru’s team.
Despite being brilliant on the ball, Banda was also a leader off the ball taking the game into his own hands as he was the holder of the armband.
This is for the second time for Banda to tame Wanderers as he did the same in their first appearance in the competition. However, Banda was replaced after picking up a knock.
๐๐๐ง๐๐๐ซ๐๐ซ๐ฌ ๐ฌ๐ก๐จ๐ซ๐ญ ๐๐๐ฌ๐ฉ๐ข๐ญ๐ ๐๐ซ๐๐ฏ๐ ๐๐๐๐จ๐ซ๐ญ
Mark Simon Harrison made three changes at the recess as he hooked Lawrence Chaziya, Stanley Sanudi, Chiukepo Msowoya and Isaac Kaliat, bringing in Miracle Gabeya, Wisdom Mpinganjira, Christopher Kumwembe and Emmanuel Nyirenda.
Unlike in the first-half, The Nomads got exposed in the second-half as the visitors were enjoying the game with the help of the Red Army support.
Kumwembe tried to bring the life into the game but Carlos Manuel’s side had a rock at the back. He beat two defenders on the left but his last effort was deflected for a corner by the goalkeeper.
He was also in the thick of things when he dribbled past three defenders before winning the free-kick just outside the penalty-area but Vitumbiko Kumwenda poorly sent it into the air.
The defence that was led by Flames International, Lawrence managed to stop UD Songo from scoring and the visitors registered no short on target in first 44 minutes.
Playing with three defenders, Isaac Kaliati who was playing as a left wing-back could be forced to remit his overlapping moves to protect the defense. Chiukepo Msowoya headed wide the cross from the right flank.
