Match Report:
Mighty Mukuru Wanderers struck when the iron was hot, hitting struggling Baka City Football Club 10-0 in a one-sided encounter played at Kamuzu Stadium, becoming the first team to win with such a margin since TNM Plc started sponsoring the league.
The Nomads are unbeaten in the league since losing to Moyale Barracks at Kamuzu Stadium in July, winning six of their last eight games and they haven’t conceded a single goal in eight games.
Isaac Kaliati scored five goals and provided three assists, becoming the first player to register 8 goal involvements in a single game since TNM Plc started sponsoring the elite league in Malawi. Clement Nyondo scored a hat-trick while Misheck Botoman and Gaddie Chirwa completed Baka’s massacre with a goal each.
Off the back of narrow 1-0 wins back-to-back against Kamuzu Barracks and Civil Service United, Wanderers made a statement of intent on their league title ambition with a win that equalled their own record of 2022 when they hammered Rumphi United 10-0.
Baka City who are anchoring the 16-member table after recording just one win in 20 games remain hopeless in the TNM Super League, conceding 51 goals against nine that they have scored.
Mwase shacked his team with changes as the Cameroonian striker, Sama Tanjong was not in the match day squad, Blessings Singini and Stanley Sanudi were benched as the coach opted for a 3-5-2 formation, congesting the midfield to win the battle.
Vitumbiko Kumwenda knocked on Mwase’s door to start the game, Botoman replaced Sama Tanjong in the attacking area while Baka City who have now conceded 23 games in their last five matches relied on experienced Bob Longwe, Thokozani Mwangata but the game was out of their control just after 45 minutes.
With the home support, Wanderers made a strong start to the game itching to record their 12th win of the season. Wanderers seized the presented opportunity. The Nomads were not just a free scoring team on Saturday, but also better balanced the aggression of their defence, barring the visitors from hitting the back of the net and William Thole who has been starting the team’s previous 8 league matches hasn’t conceded a goal since July.
Feliz Zulu is a pocket-sized hero for Mwase, starting all league games since the former Flames Coach assumed as interim coach, allowing Kaliati to do the damage.
The hosts couldn’t keep the matchgoers on a wait for the goal as they had surged forward just four minutes into the game when Isaac Kaliati finished home a well-worked ball by Wisdom Mpinganjira and Clement Nyondo before Misheck Botoman doubled the lead in the 9th minute.
A one-sided goal saw the Nomads dominating the game, allowing Gaddie Chirwa to force a super save from the keeper, Abraham Mwandenga, the striker also missed a big opportunity in a 1 v 1 situation.
That wake-up call allowed Kondwani Mwalweni to make an early change as Tambulani Mwale left the stage for Amon Mwakitalu. Two early goals kicked the blues into gear, registering seven goal attempts within the first 25 minutes against Baka’s one. Nyondo made his mark with a thumping header after pouncing on Kaliati’s curling cross just before the half-hour mark. The former Dedza Dynamos striker nearly recorded a quick brace only for his effort to fly wide after a brilliant run by full-back Timothy Silwimba. It was just delayed but not denied as he completed a first half brace with a brilliant touch, forcing Mwalweni to make two changes before the break. Lupakisho Mwalukazingo and Augustin Msonda were thrown into the fray for Hajj Msowoya and Bob Longwe.
With Silver Strikers playing two back-to-back draws against Moyale Barracks and Chitipa United, Wanderers have moved to within four points from the top of the table but Bankers will hope to beat Kamuzu Barracks on Sunday afternoon to extend the gap to seven over the Nomads.
Meke Mwase’s side has collected 41 points from 20 games against Silver Strikers’ 45 from 19 games.
Mighty Mukuru Wanderers were eager to score more goals after the restart and they have bettered Silver Strikers’ goal difference. They have a GD of 32 goals against Silver’s 28. Kaliati converted from the spot after halftime substitute, Adam Wallece won the penalty.
Blazing Wanderers kept on creating chances and Gaddie Chirwa flashed wide his effort after Kaliati found him from free-kick before Nyondo directed his strike wide. Isaac Kaliati is now leading the scoring chart with 14 goals, he had an afternoon to remember. He curled his effort from the edge of the box, beating the keeper to stab Wanderers’ sixth goal of the game in the 63rd minute before scoring his fourth five minutes later.
Gaddie Chirwa registered his name on the score sheet after reacting on Kaliati’s ball before Nyondo completed his hat-trick. Dan Kudonto found Kaliati with a defense-splitting pass and the midfielder scored a beauty to complete the massacre.
The performance of Mighty Mukuru Wanderers has earned Mwase a permanent job, replacing Burundian gaffer, Mswazirimo Ramadan who resigned from his post after a shocking 2-0 defeat to Mzuzu City Hammers in the first round of the season.
Wanderers will face Friends of Mulanje Orphans, FOMO Football Club before travelling to Karonga to face Karonga United while Baka City who have collected just 8 points from 20 games are playing against Bangwe All Stars, FCB Nyasa Big Bullets and Mzuzu City Hammers away from home in their next three games in that order.
In another game, CRECK Sporting Club and Moyale Barracks played to a barren stalemate in Mzuzu.
