Mighty Mukuru Wanderers FC narrowly edged Silver Strikers FC 1-0 and jumped a step up into the fourth position in the TNM Super League standings during a highly contested midweek fixture at Kamuzu Stadium on Thursday afternoon. The win, which was the sixth for Mark Harrison men this season, also marked the end of Silver Strikers FC’s unbeaten form this season.
With Captain Stanley Sanudi and Isaac Kaliati suspended, Gaffer Mark Simon Harrison made several changes to his regular starting eleven. Emmanuel Nyirenda was landed his first appearance in the starting eleven in the TNM Super League fixture. Miracle Gabeya also returned to action having served his three match suspension. Vitumbiko Kumwenda was roped into the midfield with Vincent Nyangulu leading the attack in place of the regular hitman, Malawi’s international Christopher Kumwembe who was benched. The Lali Lubani Boys were also without Mphatso Kamanga and Adeleke Kolawole who are nursing injuries. Harrison’s bench welcomed Balikinho Mwakanyango who has returned to the nest after he went AWOL last season.
The match started on a high note with Silver Strikers FC registering an intent to take the lead. They won the first corner of the game in the tenth minute but Peter Cholopi was the hero of the occasion when he cleared the ball into safety. The visitors had a realistic chance in the twentieth minute but Stain Davie though completely unmarked in the 18 yard box, shot the ball wide after he was set by Zebron Kalima.
In the 22nd minute, Gaddi Chirwa cut through the right edge, made a cross into the eighteen yard box but Vincent Nyangulu headed the ball wide.
The proceedings were not short of drama as Silver Strikers FC’s Assistant Coach, Peter Mgangira was red carded in the 34th minute after some confrontation with the match official(s).
The Central Bank’s sponsored side will have Stain Davie to blame for failing to convert another beautiful Innocent Shema’s cross in the 43rd minute.
The first half ended in a barren draw and the Nomads didn’t take time to break the deadlock just a minute into the last half. Defender Emmanuel Nyirenda curled in a beautiful cross from the left flank before Francis Mkonda connected it home with a powerful header that sent the Nomads and Ganyu fans into uncontrollable ecstasy.
In the 62nd minute, Mark Harrison made his first two changes of the match bringing in Christopher Kumwembe and Ahamadu Kung’unde for Vincent Nyangulu and Emmanuel Nyirenda. Silver’s Coach Hendrikus Pieter de Jong was shown the exit door in the 68th by referee Mayamiko Kanjere.
The Nomads made another change in the 71st minute, bringing in Misheck Botoman for Vitumbiko Kumwenda. There was nothing much to write about until in the 91st minute when Silver’s goalkeeper trainer, Sibusiso Padambo was shown a red card. The fourth red card of the match was flashed against Nickson Mwase in the 94th minute for a clumsy foul on Chiukepo Msowoya. 1-0 it ended in favor of Mighty Mukuru Wanderers FC.
With the result, Mukuru Boys have moved to fourth position with 22 points, four short of league leaders Nyasa Big Bullets FC who have played one game more
Reaction
Mark Harrison was pleased with the result and commended his charges for the impressive performance. Said Harrison “I am pleased with the result, you know they are a top side. They made difficult it difficult for us but we were prepared for them. We have to move and focus for a game on Sunday against Eagles”
Next assignment
Nomads will meet tenth placed Blue Eagles FC at Kamuzu Stadium on Sunday
LINE UP AGAINST SILVER STRIKERS FC
21’| William Thole
27’| Miracle Gabeya
7’| Wisdom Mpinganjira
15’| Lawrence Chaziya
5’| Peter Cholopi
22’| Emmanuel Nyirenda
4’| Francis Mkonda
25’| Felix Zulu
26’| Gaddie Chirwa
11’| Vitumbiko Kumwenda
9’| Vincent Nyangulu
SUBS
1’| Richard Chipuwa
3’| Ahamadu Kungunde
6’| Mathews Masamba
18’| Robin Ngalande
23’| Balikinho Mwakanyango
28’| Afana Amin
14’| Chiukepo Msowoya
10’| Misheck Botomani
20’| Christopher Kumwembe
Match officials
Referee: Mayamiko Kanjere
Assistants: Mussa Grant and Clement Kamwendo
Fourth official: Zebron Lengani
Match Assessor: Kaliyoto Ngosi
Cautions
Home team
36’|
Yellow card to Vitumbiko Kumwenda for exchanging words with the Mark Fodya of Silver Strikers.
Visiting team
26’|
Yellow card to Chisomo Mpachika for confronting the referee after he awarded the Nomads a freekick
34|
Red Card to Assistant Coach for Silver Strikers for foul language on the fourth official.
36’|
Yellow card to Mark Fodya for exchanging words with Vitumbiko Kumwenda
54’|
Yellow card to Charles Thom for confronting the referee after awarding Wanderers FC a freekick
65’|
Yellow card to Silver Captain, Chikondi Kamanga for exchanging words with the referee as he complained about a freekick given against his team.
68’|
Red card to Silver Strikers Head Coach for unsporting conduct at the technical area.
90+1
Red card to Sibusiso Padambo goalkeeper’s trainer for Silver Strikers for disturbing the fourth official
90+4
Yellow card to Nickson Mwase for confronting the second assistant referee
90+5
Second yellow card to Nickson Mwase for a foul on Chiukepo Msowoya
Substitutions
The home team:
62’| In
Ahamadu Kung’unde
Christopher and Kumwembe
Out
Vincent Nyangulu and
Emmanuel Nyirenda
71’|
In
Misheck Botoman
Out
Vitumbiko Kumwenda
90+1
Out
Francis Nkonda
In
Chiukepo Msowoya
The visiting team
46’|
Substitution for SS
In
Gift Chunga
Out
Uchizi Vunga
65′
In
Atusaye Nyondo
Dancan Nyoni
Out
Stain Davie
Zebron Kalima
76′
In
Kaduya
Out
Mark Fodya
Man of the Match
Francis Nkonda
Now u have come…izizi nde zampira, big up Media team
Continue gyz
It was a tactical match, both teams afraid of each others movements but the good team won.
One word to Silver technical team is discipline is paramount, match officials are the bosses in the field of play you need to play your game neat and goals come without forcing.