Wanderers Need Four Points to Win Super League After Civil Victory

Mighty Wanderers need just four more points from their final two matches to claim their first TNM Super League title in eight years after securing a hard-fought 1-0 win over Civil Service United at the Kamuzu Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

The Nomads benefited from Charles Mafaiti’s own goal and despite the visitors pressuring them throughout the match, they managed to hold off the Civil servants and secure a vital win.

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The title race is becoming clearer for them after Silver Strikers slipped up, meaning their next victory will eliminate the Bankers from championship contention. However, they must still fend off FCB Nyasa Big Bullets, who trail by three points but have a superior goal difference.

Bob Mpinganjira maintained the starting eleven that faced Karonga United in midweek. It was Sama Thierry Tanjong who produced brilliant stepovers before sending in a cross that was inadvertently guided into the net by Charles Mafaiti in the third minute.

Civil then settled into the game, completing more passes than the Nomads. Righteous Banda fired a powerful shot wide before Emmanuel Nyirenda headed wide from a corner kick in the 15th minute. Sama shot wide from a tight angle after being released by Promise Kamwendo.

The Civil servants continued to dominate possession in the first half as Banda controlled the midfield. He was denied by Dalitso Khungwa with a left-footed shot. Adam Wallace was replaced by Masiya Manda in the 35th minute, forcing Gaddie Chirwa to operate on the left flank. The Nomads led at halftime.

Sama missed a glorious chance to double the score three minutes into the second half. He was set up brilliantly by Manda and rounded the goalkeeper, but his attempt hit the side netting. Gracious Kapachika came on for Peter Ng’ambi for Civil, while Blessings Mwalilino and Felix Zulu replaced Promise Kamwendo and Isaac Kaliati for the Nomads before the hour mark.

The Civil servants introduced Dastan Banda for Khumbo Mhone in the 62nd minute. Sama then blasted his attempt over the bar before Lawrence Chaziya replaced him in the 75th minute. Mwalilino forced Rahaman John into a great save after being found by Chirwa.

The Nomads continued hunting for the second goal as Manda, Stanley Sanudi, and Chaziya all missed their attempts. Muhammad Biason, Thomson Magombo, and John Black replaced Righteous Banda, Emmanuel Muyira, and Chikaiko Batson in the 85th minute as the Nomads held on for a precious win.

Head coach for the Nomads, Bob Mpinganjira, said he was happy with the win but agreed that their performance was not good enough.

“We started well with getting a goal but after that we dropped the intensity and became second to the ball, which allowed Civil to attack us. In the second half we improved but it began again. I don’t know what the players were thinking about, but I am happy that we have the maximum points,” said Mpinganjira.

He added that his team has high chances of winning the league and that it is their wish to do so, but it will depend on how they perform in their final two matches.

Meanwhile, head coach for Civil Service United, Abbas Makawa, described the match as painful, saying they could have easily defended the goal and rarely tested the opposing goalkeeper.

“Wanderers had no striker in the box, meaning we could have dealt with the ball, but all in all it is gone and we did not shoot on goal, which cost us. We have noted those problems and we will fix them in our last two games,” said Makawa.

He added that his team will fight hard to finish in the top four but will have to work hard because all their remaining matches will be played away from home.

Following the win, the Nomads moved to 65 points from 28 matches (19 wins, 8 draws, and 1 defeat), three points above second-placed FCB Nyasa Big Bullets. Civil Service United remain fourth with 41 points from 28 matches (11 wins, 8 draws, and 9 defeats).