Inconsistent Nomads held by Dwangwa United

By: Andrew Cane Chilapondwa

A late equalizer in the first half by Chifundo Tawiha kept Jack Chamangwana’s side from picking up three points in Saturday’s match against Dwangwa United.

The visitors picked up a valuable point at Kamuzu Stadium as Wanderers  wasted several opportunities in both halves.

Straight from their 2-1 victory over Silver Strikers last week, the hosts dominated possession from the word go but lacked finishing composure in front of goals.

Jabulani Linje and Amos Bello combined well in the opening minutes to release Rafique Namwera who fired wide with the goalkeeper already beaten.

At the other end, Zikani Kasambara’s header from a corner was cleared before crossing the line by Namwera who was a marvel to watch in the entire match.

Minutes later, the Nomads got their opener. Dwangwa’s defender Dennis Katchire was disposed of by Amos Bello who made an intelligent pass to Luka Milanzi for an easy finish, 1-0.

The Nomads were on fire but their frontline kept on missing chances as the visitors settled down before the interval. But with a minute to play, Dwangwa pulled level.

A free-kick from the right flank of the Southern goal post found Tawiha unmarked, enabling him to rise high in the sky before releasing a bullet header past Nenani Juwaya in goals for the Nomads.

Come the second half, Wanderers kept on enjoying large swaths of possession without being able to find the final ball.

In fact, the best opening fell to the Nomads, but Linje was unable to put the ball into the back of the net from Bello’s right-wing pass.

Dwangwa then had their closest chance after passing the hour mark through Kasambara who fired wide from the close range to the disappointment of his coach MacDonald Mtetemera.

Linje and Mike Kaziputa were substituted for Ibrahim Sadick and Peter Wadabwa, with Josophet Kwalira coming on for Kasambara.

Juwawo was forced into making a save when Tawiha managed to beat the offside trap before releasing a thunderbolt which was well taken care of by the shot-stopper.

At the other end, Bello’s penalty shout was turned down by referee Francisco Scova before turning down Namwera’s goal for offside.

Tempos were high as the home supporters were baying for Scova’s blood with some few minutes to play.

The visitors could have collected all the three points when Josia Duwe was released by Omega Mhone only to volley wide with the goalkeeper already beaten and after 90 minutes of play, it ended 1-1.

The Nomads failed to move to the top of the summit as they have four points from their two games.

Elsewhere, the battle of titans between Moyale Barracks and Kamuzu Barracks ended 3-1 in favor of the Mzuzu based Soldiers who managed to hold Big Bullets at home last week.

It looks to be a promising season for the Kaning’ina boys having finished last during the last season on  the 9th position.