Match Preview: Wanderers chase for vital points as they host Civil in title run-in

Mighty Wanderers have found themselves in need of maximum points if they want to seriously challenge for the TNM Super League title, and their critical journey starts by facing Civil Service United at the Kamuzu Stadium on Sunday.

The Nomads nearly gave it away when they lost 2-1 to Mzuzu City Hammers, allowing FCB Nyasa Big Bullets to lead on goal difference, but the People’s team slipped with a 2-0 loss, allowing the Nomads to take a three-point advantage after their 2-0 win over Karonga United on Thursday.

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Meanwhile, they are also facing another battle as Silver Strikers have also closed the gap to 6 points plus a game in hand, making themselves serious contenders to win this year’s championship.

With all top teams playing, the Nomads need to fight for themselves by beating the Civil Servants while praying for favourable results from other venues as they look to win their first League trophy since 2017.

Current performance

The Nomads tasted their first defeat of the season two weeks ago after suffering a 2-0 loss against Mzuzu City Hammers on a journey to the North where they returned with just one point in two games.

After those disappointing results, they have managed to get 6 points with their victories over Ekhaya FC and Karonga United, meaning they have three wins, one draw and one defeat in their past five matches.

The Nomads have the strongest defense in the League after conceding just 12 goals in 27 matches, while they are third in the most goals scored this year as they have managed to bag 42 goals in those matches.

Meanwhile, Civil Service United went 6 games without a win before beating Moyale Barracks 3-0 last week to end their poor run in the League.

They lost four straight matches to Chitipa United, FCB Nyasa Big Bullets, MAFCO and Silver Strikers before drawing against Dedza Dynamos and then winning against Moyale Barracks to have just four points in their last 6 matches.

However, they also have the third-strongest defense in the League, having conceded 19 goals in 27 games, and they are fifth in the most goals scored by a team after netting 32 goals in the League.

The two teams played out a goalless draw in the first round at the Civo Stadium, and both teams will be looking for their first win over each other this season.

In their past 5 meetings, the Nomads have managed to bag three wins while Civil Service United got one win and the other one ended in a draw.

The Nomads managed to get a double over Civil last season, and their last defeat to the Civil Servants came on 03 December 2023 when they lost 1-0 at the Civo Stadium in the second round of the 2023 season.

Meanwhile, Civil Service United will also be looking for their first win at the Kamuzu Stadium since 13 November 2022 when they grabbed a 4-3 victory in the 2022 season.

Coaches’ reactions

Mighty Wanderers head coach, Bob Mpinganjira, said it has been a while since the team won the League and they will fight hard in order to bag it this season.

Ahead of the match, Mpinganjira anticipates a tough match but has deemed his side ready for the challenge ahead of them.

“Civil have formed a good team and they have been performing well, but at the same time we are ready for the match and we have told the boys the importance of winning the game. I believe that we will do better in the game,” said Mpinganjira.

He also confirmed that Sama Thierry Tanjong, who limped out when facing Karonga United, and Clement Nyondo are both back and training with the team, with Chimwemwe Nkhoma, who underwent surgery last month, the only absentee in the match.

On the side of Civil Service United, head coach Abbas Makawa said the game is important for them to fight for a top-four finish, which is now tight amongst a good number of teams.

“We dropped many points before our win against Moyale, so we will try hard to win this one so that we fight for a top-four finish. We are facing a team that is fighting for the championship, meaning it will be tough, but still we are looking for a win,” said Makawa.

He also confirmed that his squad is injury-free ahead of the match and that every player is geared for the game.

The Nomads are top of the League with 62 points from 18 wins, 8 draws and one defeat in the League, three points above second-placed FCB Nyasa Big Bullets, while Civil Service United are fourth with 41 points from 11 wins, 8 draws and 8 defeats in the League.