Kumwembe, Gaddie score as Wanderers as Hammers hammered

By Antony Isaiah Jr……

Mighty Mukuru Wanderers continue with their perfect start to the 2023 TNM Super League campaign as they survived Ekwendeni Hammers’ later scare to bag maximum points.

Leading by two goals at the break gave the Nomads hopes of staging a massacre in the second-half but the shifting of positions in the midfield among Felix Demakude, Blessings Singin and Wongani Kungu made it tough for the Nomads in the second-half.

It was balanced affair in the second-half with Wanderers playing most of the times in their won half to the extent that Coach, Mark Simon Harrison had to shout to his charges to start launching attacks.

The Nomads went on top of the game with two quick goals in a space of three minutes. Stanley Sanudi was the provider of both goals scored by Gaddie Chirwa and Christopher Kumwembe.

Blessings Singin who was playing as the right attacker was shifted to the holding role in midfield with Demakude and Lungu in his front.

The visitors pulled one back through Wongani Lungu from the spot after seeing his initial stunning bicycle-kick was ruled out.

Mphatso Kamanga, Christopher Kumwembe, Misheck Botomani were all taken off for Mathews Masamba, Vincent Nyangulu and Vitumbiko Kumwenda.

Wanderers had a chance to ease the late pressure piled by the visitors but Kumwenda saw his penalty kick being palmed away by Goalkeeper, Mika.

The win means that Wanderers are still enjoying the rich vein of form with three wins from three games. They are on top of the table with 9 points.

Mark was disappointed with the performance of his charges in the second-half and also said his charges were wasteful for failing to score more goals in the game that they created more chances.

“An excellent first-half but poor second-half. I warned the players not underrate Hammers. The visitors took the control in the second-half. We would have scored more goals because we created more chances, but that’s part of the game. We have to look forward to the next game,” said Mark.

On his part, Lackson Mauluka Coach for Hammers said they were disappointed with the results but was proud of his charges for the performance in the second-half.

“We had plans but we couldn’t display it in the first-half. We planned to win the game, some of the players didn’t execute the plans that we had. We will try to correct the mistakes and we are hopeful that we will find the winning formula,” said Mauluka.