Chitipa hand Wanderers a shock defeat

By Antony Isaiah Jr…….

Chitipa United handed Mighty Mukuru Wanderers’ shock defeat on Saturday as Miracle Gabeya’s own goal was enough for the Lions of Forthills to walk away with maximum points.

Nerves and trepidation were in Mighty Mukuru Wanderers’ supporters who had thronged the Kamuzu Stadium towards the end of the game as Chitipa United had no time to get intimidated by the hosts.

The Lions of Forthills fought it hard to stun the title-chasing Mighty Mukuru Wanderers at Kamuzu Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

Mark Simon Harrison had to refuse granting the post-match interviews to the reporters after the game.

The Nomads fell agonisingly short of leapfrogging their cross-town rivals, FCB Nyasa Big Bullets to go to the summit of the table.

Going to the break at goalless, with no shot on target, the Nomads were in disbelief and in agony.

The Briton had to turn to his bench, looking for Messiah and he consulted Chiukepo Msowoya to do the needful with forgotten striker, Vincent Nyangulu paving way, Vitumbiko had to be another person carrying the hopes of Nomads who were frustrated.

Coincidentally, Miracle Gabeya whom Mark Harrison was hoping to be the Messiah at the back, turned to be Judah as he planted the header into his own net with 8 minutes before Alfred Kaphamtengo’s last whistle.

A game that had more drama before kick-off, produced more drama after kick-off.

Chitipa United Head Coach, Macdonald Nginde Mtetemera had told people that at all costs, he and his boys would be walking out of Kamuzu Stadium with three points, yes he did after the game.

He made three changes to the team that suffered a 1-0 defeat to Ekwendeni Hammers as Peter Mughogho, Stain Patrick and Mabuchi Msiska replaced Gideon Sululu, Stimmela Muyira and Rahmadan Ntafu.

For the Nomads, off the back of a 2-0 win over Bangwe All Stars, Mark Simon Harrison made changes as Isaac Kaliati, Vincent Nyangulu were all called back to start the game.

Two free-kicks within the first 5 minutes conveyed the message of what the Nomads were looking for in the game, Wanderers fans had gathered to the Southern part of the stadium.

Falling short in attack, Wanderers’ situation had to worsen when their main striker, Christopher Jacama Kumwembe limped off the pitch in agony after picking up a knock and Mphatso Kamanga had to be introduced in the second-half.

Mighty Mukuru Wanderers had to ask the National Referees Association of Malawi to reshuffle the officiation panel in the 11th hour as they were refusing Gift Chicco to take charge of their game.

The request was accepted but the officials had to convince Chitipa United on the matter.

“We wanted a clarification on the change and they gave us, without wanting to make things complicated, we accepted to continue the game with the officiation team that was directed on the day,” an internal source from Chitipa United told us.

The win takes Chitipa United to fifth on the table with 10 points, 4 adrift the leaders and second-placed FCB Nyasa Big Bullets and Mighty Mukuru Wanderers.

Tactical master Nginde proves his supremacy over Harrison

“This is not Mighty Mukuru Wanderers that we know, this team had started producing good results last season under Alex Ngwira,” commented Charles Nyirenda in the commentary box for Zodiak Radio.

Going into the game, Mighty Mukuru Wanderers had pillaged 10 goals in six games. Two from the spot, two through building the attacks and 6 from dead balls.

Macdonald Nginde might have studied the way Mighty Mukuru Wanderers who are deemed to be the title contenders this season played in their previous games.

Having a towering goalkeeper, George Chikooka in goals was an added advantage to Chitipa. Stanley Sanudi has been the player with most assists at Wanderers and joint top in Super League this season as he is good at crossing the balls and taking free-kicks.

On Saturday afternoon, against Inkhalamu Zga ku Chitipa through Nginde had mastered the way of dealing with Wanderers style of play.

Captain Chris Lwemba led the Chinese Great Wall in company of Blessings Joseph, Peter Mughogho, Cassim Juma.

With Chitipa playing under no pressure after being in top 10 of the table, the focus was on Mighty Mukuru Wanderers who were eager to spend the next 24 hours on top of the table.

The hosts had two attacks through the flanks when Chitipa United’s defence loosened their sphincter allowing Mpinganjira to swing in a cross that Kumwembe pounced on it to head it over the bar before Chikooka plucked Sanudi’s delivery before it reached on to the forefront of Kumwembe.

After soaking up some early pressure, Chitipa United grew up into the game powered by the sizeable fans that filled Ndirande stand.

They made their break after 18 minutes when Rajab Nyirenda put his free-kick over the bar and Chris Lwemba minutes later skied his free-kick.

William Thole missed Kenson Mlenga’s corner-kick and Lorenzo’s touch missed the upright with some inches and Alfred Manyozo Jr made a tremendous block when the defence for Wanderers was caught napping.

Going to the break at goalless, Wanderers were hoping for the best second-half like how they did with Bangwe All Stars, but this was Chitipa United who were hunting for their first away win this season and their first win against the Nomads in seven games.

A much improved performance from the visitors in the second-half. Manyozo again displayed himself to the artificial turf to block Msiska’s shot in the 62nd minute.

Trying to have a plan B, Vitumbiko Kumwenda was introduced for impactless Misheck Botomani with 23 minutes to go, trying to force attacks through the middle after learning that the visitors were very clever to close the gaps in their wide areas.

A barbaric act was displayed at Kamuzu Stadium as an unknown person was spotted pouring liquids on to the goal of Chitipa United.

Scenes of Jubilation from the Ndirande stand, Chitipa players had to feel it. A draw was not enough for them after walking 922KM, a journey that can be covered in 14 hours 30 minutes by estimation.

They showed their intention of walking with a win. They won the corner-kick on the left flank and Ghedo Lorenzo’s delivery was headed into the net by Miracle Gabeya with 8 minutes on the clock.

The hosts had little time to find an equaliser and a winner as Kaphamtengo’s last whistle had to come 13 minutes later.