Extreme shock Wanderers

By Antony Isaiah Jr…..

Extreme Football Club will hog headlines after pulling a top drawer shocker by beating title contenders, Mighty Mukuru Wanderers 1-0 at Bingu National Stadium.

The Nomads have suffered their second defeat of the season after recording below-par performance at home two weeks ago against Chitipa United.

Inconsistently, Wanderers relied on individual brilliance to scoop maximum points in Karonga as Isaac Kaliati scored a sumptuous free-kick.

Mark Harrison made several changes as he handed fringe players starting role. Vitumbiko Kumwenda, Vincent Nyangulu, Emmanuel Nyirenda, Mathews Masamba all started for Christopher Kumwembe, Wisdom Mpinganjira, Lawrence Chaziya and Misheck Botomani all were relegated to the bench.

Conceding a goal just before the break was followed up by a frustrating event as Miracle Gabeya was sent off for a dangerous foul on Extreme FC player.

Hoping to return home with six points before taking on resistant Blue Eagles after the international break, Wanderers were off to a quick start as Chiukepo Msowoya planted his header wide just two minutes from the kick off.

Stanley Sanudi was shifted his role into the midfield to increase the numbers. Extreme FC found it hard to use the middle way to break into Wanderers’ half.

The rookies who were in search for their first win in the elite league had their first attack after 12 minutes through Beston Jimu who forces Miracle Gabeya to concede a corner which was well defended by the visitors.

Joseph Malizani stepped down from the post of Head Coach of the team and former Flames International, Elvis Kafoteka took over the left void. He promised to turn their season around when they meet Wanderers.

The former Civil Service United fullback mastered well Wanderers’ system and he rocked his wide areas denying the Nomads from using their goodness in the air.

Making four changes at halftime was a sign that the players who were entrusted to start the game failed to deliver. Supporters had to block the players from using the Club’s bus after the game, only for Stanley Sanudi to bring down his knees, begging for forgiveness.

A containment football from Extreme saw the two sides playing 20 minutes without a shot on goals.

Wanderers had a good build-up with Vitu Kumwenda presented a glorious chance to Chiukepo Msowoya who again put his header wide, looking into the air agonisingly and in disbelief.

Sitting back, inviting the Nomads to come in their half, Extreme FC were good at counter attacking football through Beston Jimu, Gregory Mwase and Justice Honde.

Jimu unleashed a missiles from distance but Richard Chipuwa who was making his first start this season brilliantly plunged it.

Gregory Mwase gave the rookies a lead after 38 minutes. A long ball from halfway was played over the defence and Mwase had a looping header into the roof of the net. Chipuwa was static, if Wanderers are to compete for the championship, they have to stick to William Thole who has conceded only twice from open play, with two goals coming from the spot in eight games.

With Jacama on the bench, Wanderers were a little bit down, and they will need to be a free scoring team. They have scored 12 goals with 50% of those came from Kumwembe.

Chiukepo is yet to find the back of the net this season, Vincent Nyangulu has been overshadowed by Kumwembe. Unlike their fellow title contenders, Bullets have scored 20 goals, Lanjesi Nkhoma have 8, Kajoke has three, Mfune has two, Mwaungulu has two.

Chipuwa, the man who has served the club for a while was watching the long-ball coming without communicating with his defenders, spooling back to that horrific 4-0 defeat to Bullets at Bingu National Stadium in the semifinals of the FDH Bank Cup, this highlighted his culpability.

Even with Lawrence Chaziya, Wisdom Mpinganjira, Christopher Kumwembe and Mphatso Kamanga to coming in for aged Chiukepo Msowoya, Vitumbiko Kumwenda, Emmanuel Nyirenda and Mathews Masamba, the Nomads failed to snatch a point against the team that prior to the game was at the foot of the table.

The sparks brought by Kumwembe showed that he is the only source of happiness for the Nomads.

Per haps, believing in Juju, Isaac Kaliati for Mighty Mukuru Wanderers was booked for putting the ball into the empty net after the play was stopped.

Extreme FC were in extreme need of the points and delaying tactics wouldn’t be questioned. Blessings Juma went into the book of the referee for delaying the restart.

Former Silver Strikers defender, Trevor Kalema formed a defensive rock at the back together with John Chalamanda, restricting the Nomads from hitting the back of the net.

Blessings Juma was in thick of actions when he made two quick saves to keep Extreme FC hanging on to their slender lead. Kumwembe had a good shot from distance before Gaddie Chirwa saw his goal-bound shot being ceased by the goalkeeper.

Coach player for the team, Alfred Manyozo was just speechless and was extremely disappointed with the result.

“I don’t even know what to say, we tried but Extreme was good, it’s unfortunate to lose games like these.” Said Manyozo.

The man in charge of Extreme FC, Elvis Kafoteka said his charges remained focused in the game and congratulated them for the win.

“I told the boys not to fear the game and remain focused, we got the goal and defended it, it is a sweet Victory for us.” Said Kafoteka.

The win is first for Extreme which moves up to 15th with 5 points from 9 games while the Nomads have missed a chance to go second of the table as they remain third with 17 points and have suffered two defeats now in their last three games.