Kaliati strike downs Dedza to keep Wanderers in title hunt

Nomads Edge Dedza Dynamos 1-0 to Stay Four Points Behind Leaders Bullets

Mighty Wanderers continued their pursuit of league leaders FCB Nyasa Big Bullets with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Dedza Dynamos in an away fixture on Saturday.

Substitute Isaac Kaliati proved to be the difference-maker, firing home a spectacular strike from outside the box just three minutes after the restart to secure all three points for the Nomads.

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The win keeps Wanderers firmly in the title race, sitting second on 42 points from 18 games, four points behind Bullets who topped the weekend’s action with 46 points from 19 matches after coming from behind to beat Silver Strikers at Kamuzu Stadium.

“Cagey affair as usual when they meet”

Dedza Dynamos started brightly, with Marco Chiwaya forcing an excellent save from the Wanderers goalkeeper inside the opening minute. The home side looked threatening in the early exchanges, but Wanderers quickly settled and began asserting their authority.

The Nomads won a free kick in the 5th minute, with Stanley Sanudi’s delivery headed clear by the Dedza defense. Both teams then settled into a balanced contest, exchanging possession in midfield.

Dedza created a promising opportunity when Yasin Chida beat his marker before finding Bright Masebo on the left, but the resulting cross flew off target. At the other end, neat interplay between Felix Zulu, Sanudi, and Blessings Singini came to nothing as Wanderers lost possession.

Wanderers appealed for a free kick in the 18th minute when Blessings Mwalirino was brought down just outside the penalty area, but the referee waved play on. Moments later, Mwalirino unleashed a powerful effort that Dedza goalkeeper Mwakasinga did well to parry away for a corner.

Manager Bob Mpinganjira made a forced change in the 24th minute, withdrawing debutant Rajab Nyirenda who was injured and introducing Kaliati. The substitution would prove inspired as Kaliati immediately began troubling the Dedza backline.

Despite sustained Wanderers pressure in the closing stages of the half, including good work from Wisdom Mpinganjira following a 30th-minute free kick, neither side could break the deadlock before the interval.

Kaliati’s Moment of Magic

Wanderers emerged from the break with renewed intensity. Adam Wallace won a free kick near the penalty box in the 47th minute, but Kaliati’s effort sailed over the crossbar.

The breakthrough came just 60 seconds later. Kaliati received possession outside the penalty area and unleashed a thunderous strike that gave Mwakasinga no chance, finding the top corner to send the traveling Wanderers faithful into raptures.

Dedza tried to respond but struggled to create clear-cut opportunities against a well-organized Nomads defense. The home side appealed for a penalty in the 57th minute for handball, but referee dismissed the claims.

Dedza coach introduced fresh legs in the 62nd minute, bringing on Magola and David Habu for Frank Chikufenji and Yasin Chida, before adding Winnie Chimutu for Masebo six minutes later. However, Wanderers remained compact and disciplined at the back.

The visitors nearly doubled their advantage in the 73rd minute when Wallace received a clever pass from Kaliati but fired just over the bar. Kaliati himself spurned a chance to seal the game with his second goal in the 80th minute.

Wanderers saw out the remaining minutes professionally to claim a vital victory that keeps their title hopes alive.

What It Means

The result maintains the pressure on Bullets at the summit, with Wanderers demonstrating the resilience and quality needed for a sustained title challenge. For Dedza Dynamos, it’s another setback as they continue to struggle for consistency in the league.

Wanderers will look to build on this momentum as they return home for their next fixture, while the race for the TNM Super League title continues to intensify.

Top photo: Chimwemwe Kaonga/Wanderers Media