Match preview: Hot Wanderers host struggling Hammers

A contrasting story. Two teams from both ends are facing each on Saturday at Kamuzu Stadium, battling for three points. From the summit of the table, Mighty Wanderers are taking on struggling Mzuzu City Hammers who are second from bottom.

The Nomads are leading the TNM Super League table with a two-point cushioning over their arch-rivals, FCB Nyasa Big Bullets and Saturday’s game presents them with an opportunity to open a five-point gap as their neighbors are busy with the Airtel Top 8 Cup final staged for Sunday at Bingu National Stadium.

Bob Mpinganjira’s men remain the only unbeaten team in the league after playing 11 matches. Only Silver Strikers and Karonga United denied them all the points with both games ending in 1-all draws.

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The Nomads have just conceded one goal from their last six matches and they remain the only team to score in all 11 games since the start of the season. They have collected 16 points from possible 18 in their last 6 matches, making them the most in form team.

They beat Bullets 1-0, Kamuzu Barracks 3-0, Dedza Dynamos 2-0 before a 1-1 draw in a game that they played with a man less after Peter Cholopi was ssnt off.  They then beat Songwe Border and Ekhaya FC recently.

On the other hand, Mzuzu City Hammers degrading has been of huge shocking. They finished 4th last season but they find themselves to the foot of the table.

Hammers have already lost seven times, only Songwe have lost more than them. They have collected just 8 points from possible 33 and won just two games.

They are heading into this match off the back of collecting four points from their recent 5 games as they drew 0_0 against Chitipa United but beat Moyale Barracks. They lost to Ekhaya, Mighty Tigers and to Creck Sporting recently.

Hammers will be hoping to avoid suffering the embarrassing defeat this time around as they were hammered 8-0 in their recent visit to Wanderers.

They have just won one game from their last four meetings with the Nomads.

Mighty Wanderers head coach Bob Mpinganjira says his players have shown willingness to continue delivering good results in the game, but he hinted at the need to avoid underrating Hammers.

“It will be a mistake to underrate Mzuzu City Hammers. The fact that they are fifteenth means they will come hard on us to get maximum points. We must approach this match with all seriousness and emerge victorious,” he explained.

Mpinganjira also shared the team news, stating: “Peter Cholopi is back from suspension and available for selection, but it’s not automatic he’ll feature. He has to compete for a place in the squad like everyone else.”

His counterpart, Elias Chirambo, said the team is aware of the game’s significance and they are hoping for a win.

“It will be a crucial game for us. We need to get three points because we are in position 15 on the log, so a win can move us up. We have two injuries, but we have come with players who will do the job. Morale is high in the camp and we are going to get three points,” explained Chirambo.

At the Lali Lubani side, Sama Thierry Tanjong and Nyondo remain sidelined due to injuries. Sama will be going for another assessment next week to ascertain the next course of action. Peter Cholopi is back from suspension, having missed the Songwe and Ekhaya assignments due to the red card he picked up against Karonga United. He is now available for selection. However, it is not automatic that he will feature on Saturday. He will have to compete for a position in the squad.

The Mzuzu-based outfit did not disclose the list of their injured players.