New era: on-field results reflect deeper changes at Wanderers

For too long, the narrative surrounding the Mighty Wanderers has been one of unfulfilled potential. A club with a storied history and a passionate fanbase, the Nomads were often undone by administrative chaos and an unfortunate tendency to falter when it mattered most.

But now, a palpable sense of change has swept through the club, and the results on the pitch are the most powerful proof that a new, more potent era has dawned. Will they get it done this time around?

Two seasons ago, Briton coach, Mark Harrison who was coaching Wanderers used to be quoted saying, “We will need two years to be level with Bullets both on and off field.”

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Mark Harrison was sacked by the club in 2023 but there has been a long term longing for a change at the club. They launched “making Mighty mighty Again” project which hasn’t been taking shape initially but currently, they can be convinced that they are on the right track, they may need to stay firm not to be forced out of their perch.

At the heart of the galvanizing transformation is Panganani Ndovi, Chief Executive Officer, who is in his second year of a contract signed in March 2024 replacing Roosevelt Mpinganjira.

Ndovi’s appointment was initially met with skepticism, given his past with rivals FCB Nyasa Big Bullets and Silver Strikers. Yet, his commitment to the Wanderers is now undeniable. In his inaugural season, he not only guided the team to a respectable second-place finish but also orchestrated a triumphant run in the Castel Challenge Cup, securing their coveted spot in this year’s CAF Confederation Cup.

This season, the signs of progress are even more dramatic and resounding. The Nomads are the only unbeaten team in the elite league, sitting three points clear of their crosstown rivals, Bullets. Their current tally of 33 points after 13 games has already matched Silver Strikers’ stellar record for the entire first round of last season.

With a crucial game against Chitipa United this Saturday, a victory could see them set a new unprecedented record of 36 points, eclipsing their own championship-winning first-round total of 35 points from 2017. The belief inside the camp is not just confidence; it is an indomitable conviction that this is, finally, their year.

This on-field excellence is no coincidence; it is a direct consequence of a new, strategic approach to administration. The departure of major sponsor Mukuru could have been a cataclysmic blow, leaving the club in a financial crisis. Instead, the leadership adapted with remarkable resilience.

While initial plans for a squad-wide salary increment were scrapped, the club implemented a new, forward-thinking policy of proactively negotiating contracts with key players in their final six months. This pragmatic move is designed to avoid the costly loss of talent on free transfers and secure the club’s long-term future.

The strategic vision extends to their player retention strategy. Apart from rewarding veterans Isaac Kaliati and Stanley Sanudi with new contracts and a clear path to be integrated into the youth coaching system, the club is focusing on building a younger core. Their policy of not extending deals for players above the age of 28 signals a clear move away from short-term fixes and toward the creation of a sustainable, trophy-winning dynasty.

“As a club, we have set our targets and we want to do our things very differently from how others have been doing,” said Ndovi during a chat at his office, not a formal interview.

When you enter into Ndovi’s office, trophies that have been won in his era are placed somewhere and he surely wants to see the league trophy closer to him daily when he gets into it for work.

“Our core ambition is to win the league and I want that big trophy [Super League] to be there [pointing to the cabinets where there was three trophies, two won by Reserve team and one by senior team.] it is guaranteed that we are playing Confederation Cup this season and we are not just going to participate, our benchmark is to qualify for the group stages of the competition,” he added.

The club’s ambitions are not limited to domestic success. They have their sights set on reaching the group stages of the CAF Confederation Cup, a milestone that only one other Malawian team has ever achieved. The club’s hierarchy believes this is a far more judicious path for international growth than a premature leap into the Champions League, as it provides a vital opportunity to build experience and a formidable reputation.

President Thomson Mpinganjira has reiterated his unwavering commitment to this goal, even as he remains the club’s sole financial linchpin.

While the club’s administration and on-field performance are on a trajectory of excellence, there is still room for improvement, particularly in the marketing department. The booming replica business proves the brand’s strength, but more work is needed to attract additional corporate sponsors and alleviate the financial burden on the president.

In context , the Wanderers are proving that a club’s success is about more than just the players on the field. It’s about dedicated leadership, strategic planning, and a clear vision for the future.

The era of internal wrangles and second-round collapses, hopefully, Wanderers would want to be a thing of the past. With a crucial game against Chitipa United this weekend, the Wanderers have a chance to not only extend their lead but also to further solidify their claim that this is, without a doubt, their year to reclaim the championship and leave an indelible mark on the international stage.

They have beaten all the Blantyre-based teams including their local rivals Bullets in the Blantyre derby, they nearly beat Silver Strikers who leveled late in the game as two teams shared spoils.

Walking through the club’s base, Lali Luban, everybody is confident of winning the league. Wisdom Mpinganjira signed a new deal which will keep him at the club until 2028 but there is optimism that he will not finish the season in Malawi.

Wanderers are poised to return to the market in search of a striker as Sama Tanjong is likely to miss the games for the next four months and Christopher Jacama Kumwembe is expected to return to Green Buffaloes in Zambia and will not play for Wanderers this year. Signing a new defending midfielder is also being considered by the team.

Wanderers won the league for the last time in 2017 and they have just won two trophies since then, winning Airtel Top 8 and Castel Challenge Cup. This is contrary to their rivals, Bullets who have won five league titles, four Airtel Top 8, two FDH Bank Cup, one Castel Challenge Cup, the Nomads want to challenge them.

There are 17 more games to played before one team is crowned champions officially, no one has crossed the line yet, battles are still ongoing.