Nomads wins, Tigers survives Max Bullets scare

By: Andrew Cane Chilapondwa

Francis Mulimbika and Peter Wadabwa inspired Mighty Wanderers to a 2-1 victory over Silver Strikers in the TNM Premier League played on Sunday afternoon at Silver Stadium.

The Bankers were a better side to watch in the opening minutes as they piled more pressure on the visitors but lacked finishing composure in front of goals.

The hosts deservedly took the lead just after 20 minutes on the clock through Duncan Nyoni who capitalized on a poor defending from the Nomads back three to head past Nenani Juwaya in goals for the visitors, 1-0.

The Bankers could have doubled their lead through Mark Fodya who guided his shot narrowly wide. However, against the run of play, the Nomads pulled level in a dramatic fashion.

A brilliant display of football from Rafique Namwera caught Silver defence napping before forcing Blessings Kameza into making a save, only to see Mulimbika releasing a thunderbolt just outside the penalty box, 1-1. Come the second half, Wanderers were a better side as they fixed their midfield to try to take the game away from the hosts.

Thuso Paipi and Tizgowere Kumwenda all came in for the Bankers as pressure mounted on them. The Nomads showed their intentions in the half when Amos Bello released Luka Milanzi to the left flank of the field only to see his effort well blocked by Lucky Malata.

Wanderers brought in Rafique Namwera for Patrick Gunde who was ineffective for the Lali Lubani boys. Namwera’s introduction paid the dividend as Wanderers were slowly keeping the Bankers defence at bay.

With less than 12 minutes to play, the Nomads got their lead. An intelligent pass from Bello found substitute Wadabwa who wasted no time by firing past Kameza to frustrate the home fans, 2-1.

As Lovemore Fazili’s men tried to respond swiftly, the Nomads kept their hosts’s defence busy although Kumwenda failed to put the ball into the net when he was released by Paipi.

The Bankers dominated proceedings in the last 7 minutes but the Nomads stood firm at the back to collect all the three important points to move to the summit of the table. Elsewhere, Azam Tigers survived Max Bullets scare when they came from behind twice to share a point a peace with the newcomers.

Mayeso Mphanje gave the visitors a lead in the opening five minutes before a cancellation from Bright Munthali in the same half.

The visitors then restored their lead through Wongani Zulu before a penalty miss from Wisdom Mizeyi.

Just when everybody thought the game was ending in favor of Max Bullets, Elia Munthali stunned the visitors with a cool finish following a defensive relapse from the rookies and after the final whistle, it ended 2-2.