The chase for the 2024 TNM Super League championship has jumped up to another level as top teams are grappling with it with nine games remaining before they wrap their campaign.
The defending Champions, FCB Nyasa Big Bullets, have moved up to third on the log table following their barren stalemate against Mzuzu City Hammers at Mzuzu Stadium, while Silver Strikers were held by relegation-battling Bangwe All Stars at Balaka Stadium.
Mighty Mukuru Wanderers have piled more pressure on the leaders, Silver Strikers, following their narrow 1-0 win over Mulanje-based side, FOMO Football Club, thanks to Wisdom Mpinganjira’s early strike.
Wise strike hands Wanderers win over FOMO FC
Mighty Mukuru Wanderers have taken their challenge for the championship seriously, as they have now moved to within five points behind Silver Strikers, whose mojo seems to be derailing as of late.
Facing FOMO FC with his team having won six of their last eight matches, Meke Mwase was understandably bullish to get a positive result at home. The Nomads are flying high now, avoiding defeats in their last nine consecutive games, and avoiding conceding a goal in their last nine league matches.
Off the back of a convincing 10-0 win over struggling Baka City, Wanderers faced a resilient FOMO FC, who are enjoying a good short spell in the mentorship of former Flames full-back Elvis Kafoteka, winning two of their last four matches.
Wanderers started the game while pressing for an early lead, forcing the visitors at Kamuzu Stadium to defend an early corner-kick before Stanley Sanudi rifled over the bar in the sixth minute. Their dominance paid off in the 8th minute when Wisdom Mpinganjira pounced on Isaac Kaliati’s pass to give the Nomads a merited lead.
It was an afternoon to bolster their [Wanderers] collective belief, embracing the stiff challenge coming ahead as it promises to be. Wanderers would have survived a few scares just after stealing the lead as the visiting side were pressing for an equaliser.
Their [FOMO] pressure presented them with an opportunity outside the penalty area, but they would see their effort flying over the bar; Peter Cholopi was booked for fouling Hassan Lwembe. The striker arrowed his free-kick, targeting the far corner but the keeper tip-toed it over the bar, surviving FOMO’s pressure.
After the first half favouring the hosts, the second half resumed with Wanderers enjoying the possession, prompting Kafoteka to make double changes with White Kitsen and Dastan Banda replacing Sammy Byson and Shukran Mwawa.
Wanderers nearly grabbed the second in the 64th minute but Dan Kumimba was quick to steal the ball off the feet of the Cameroonian striker, Sama Tanjong, and it was the last attempt for Tanjong as Mwase would make two changes, Vitumbiko Kumwenda and Gadi Chirwa were thrown into the fray for Blessings Singini and Sama Thierry Tanjong.
It was a busy afternoon for FOMO FC’s keeper, who thwarted Wanderers’ attempts. Isaac Kaliati whistled his effort over the bar from a free-kick; two more changes were made by the visitors as Duncan Mangwaya and Arthur Kalondora were taken in for Mike Banda and Dustan Banda, while Adam Wallace was introduced for the goalscorer, Wisdom Mpinganjira.
“We thank the guys for playing very well, the most important thing is that we have collected three points. I don’t want to talk about other teams; I want to talk about my team; we tried everything, the boys tried everything; I’m happy with the win,” said Mike Mwase when reacting to the team’s win.
“It was a very good game but a tough one. We came to win or at least get a draw but we conceded an early goal. They are the same players who collected seven points from nine when I arrived, so, for today, it was just a bad day for us,” reacted Kafoteka to the defeat.
Mighty Mukuru Wanderers were supposed to face Karonga United but their game has been postponed while Friends of Mulanje Orphans are taking on facing CRECK Sporting Club on October 19. FOMO FC are 13th with 22 points.
Hammers hold on to frustrate Bullets
FCB Nyasa Big Bullets are returning to Blantyre with four points from a possible six after beating Baka City FC and drawing against Mzuzu City Hammers.
As said by Hammers’ coach, Kondwa Ikwanga, in his pre-match interviews, three points were vital for both teams, and a 0-0 score line highlights the statement. The Iron Boys were coming from the back of three-game winless run to halt Bullets’ three-game winning streak.
Hammers had lost against Civil Service United and Karonga United before playing a draw against Mighty Waka Waka Tigers, but they failed to dish out their first-ever win over Bullets, having lost seven out of their nine meetings.
Both teams showed their intent of getting full points, but the defences for both teams were locked, with no serious chance created within the first half-hour mark, with only Wongani Lungu forcing Hammers’ defense to make a brilliant block as he was willing to stun his former team in his first start since joining Bullets.
Isaac Msiska and Samuel Adeyemi combined in the 35th minute but the latter fired his longing effort just wide of Innocent Nyasulu’s post.
Kalisto Pasuwa introduced Chawangwa Gumbo for Ernest Petro at the recess while Samuel Adeyemi was rested for Chimwemwe Chunga for Hammers.
Babatunde Adepoju had a serious impact on the game in the 73rd minute when he was released on goal, but his effort was easily thwarted by Chancy Mtete. Late changes failed to change the scope of the game as points were shared between the two teams.
Kalisto Pasuwa admitted that his charges had few chances of scoring and our strikers were frustrated. “We are coming from another game, it affected us. We are doing our best for us to get good results, but in football, you expect all results. This is a point gained; remember, we are travelling, and we have played so many games in the space of 15 days,” said Pasuwa.
Kondwa Ikwanga said his players wanted to win the game but it was just a tough game. “Nothing went wrong, it was just a game that we created few chances,” he said.
FCB Nyasa Big Bullets have collected 34 points from 21 games and they are 15 points from the top of the table and 10 points from second-placed Mighty Mukuru Wanderers. They will host Mafco FC at home in their next game, while Mzuzu City Hammers are 6th with 33 points from 22 games and are travelling to Lilongwe to face Kamuzu Barracks at Civo Stadium.
Bangwe frustrate Silver to continue with their hunt for survival
Trevor Kajawa is still stamping his authority and style of play in Bangwe All Stars players, as he has yet to concede a goal in three league matches since he was appointed as the head coach for the struggling side.
They stunned FCB Nyasa Big Bullets, beat Baka City FC, and on Wednesday afternoon, Bangwe All Stars frustrated league leaders Silver Strikers at Balaka Stadium as a barren stalemate was recorded.
Silver Strikers have stretched their unbeaten run to 21 games this season following their draw on Wednesday, but it hasn’t been a convincing second round of the season for the Bankers, who have just won three of their last seven league games.
Having played three games unbeaten in all competitions, Trevor Kajawa’s side went into the game with the hope of getting at least a point against the league leaders. It was a tight game forcing Peter Mponda to make an early change as he introduced Chinsisi Maonga for Binwell Katinji just after 33 minutes. At the recess, Zebron Kalima and Charles Chipala were introduced for Stain Davie and Duncan Nyoni.
Both teams battled it out to get points, but in the end, spoils were shared, taking Silver Strikers to 49 points from 21 games this season, and Bangwe All Stars have collected seven points from a possible nine from their last three games. They are still yet to concede a goal under Kajawa.
Silver Strikers Head coach Peter Mponda could not hide his frustration saying the opponents came solely to defend.
“It was a frustrating afternoon as we were playing with a team that was so eager to defend but we are happy with the performances of our players. Yes, we have dropped points this afternoon, but we are comfortable with where we are and look forward to the upcoming games”, said Mponda.
Trevor Kajawa heaped praise on his boys for managing to contain Silver Strikers in a “tough game.” “We were playing against a team which is fighting for the championship and it was a very tough game. We tried not to concede; the players have confidence, and they know the importance of working hard to get points,” he said.
Silver Strikers were supposed to face CRECK Sporting Club this weekend but their game has been postponed as the Flames are travelling to Senegal to face the Lions of Teranga in the 2025 AFCON Qualifiers while Bangwe All Stars who are 14th with 19 points from 22 games are facing Mighty Tigers on October 19 at Kamuzu Stadium before facing Kamuzu Barracks, Civil Service United at home, Balaka Stadium.
