Wanderers win first round of Super League with draw against Civil United

Mighty Wanderers have emphatically claimed the first-round championship of the 2025 TNM Super League, concluding their campaign with a goalless stalemate against the formidable Civil Service United at Civo Stadium.

This pivotal draw, coupled with the exhilarating 3-3 deadlock between their arch-rivals FCB Nyasa Big Bullets and Karonga United, has nailing the Nomads to the summit of the table with a slender one-point lead. The Lali Luban-based club has orchestrated an exceptional campaign, amassing 35 points from 10 wins and five draws in their 15 matches.

This accomplishment marks their first time leading the league at the halfway point since 2019 and mirrors their impressive 35-point tally from the 2017 season.

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Despite their unblemished record, the Nomads’ performance has seemingly faltered in their last three outings, all of which culminated in draws. However, their statistical prowess remains undeniable, with a robust goal differential—23 goals scored and a mere 7 conceded. Conversely, Civil Service United concluded the first round in sixth place, accumulating 23 points from six victories, five draws, and four defeats.

Meanwhile, FCB Nyasa Big Bullets have finished the first round on position two with 34 points, just a point adrift the leaders following their dramatic 3-all draw against Karonga United at Kamuzu Stadium.

Bullets have suffered three defeats, one draw and they have won 11 matches. They are the highest scoring team with 33 goals, conceding 8 goals.

The defending champions, Silver Strikers have closed in following their emphatic 2-0 win over struggling Mzuzu City Hammers to move to 30 points, five off the top. The Bankers have won 8 games, 6 draws and one defeat, scoring 25 goals and conceding 11. Ekhaya are fourth sign 26 points.

How the match unfolded? A tug-of-war of tactical acumen

Following a pair of consecutive draws against Moyale Barracks and Chitipa United, Mighty Wanderers were desperate to rebound, acutely aware that any misstep could enable their rivals to usurp their position. However, Civil Service United, emboldened by a string of four consecutive victories, proved to be an obdurate opponent, fiercely contesting every possession.

Wanderers’ Head Coach, Bob Mpinganjira, deviated from his customary 3-4-3 formation to deploy a more conventional 4-4-2. Regrettably, this tactical shift failed to breach the impregnable defense of Civil, which has now maintained four successive clean sheets. Early opportunities were spurned by Wanderers, including a corner-kick in the opening minute and a squandered chance by Blessings Mwalirino, whose shot was expertly blocked.

Civil Service United showed a glimpse of their quality 15 minutes into the game when Dastin Banda stretched himself to the right wing to combine with Blessings Malinda but Banda’s effort was tucked away by Emmanuel Nyirenda for Wanderers, awarding the hosts their first corner which they failed to utilize.

Wanderers had another big opportunity after 25 minutes when Gaddie Chirwa outmuscled Damian Kunje on the left flank before spotting Mpinganjira on the edge of the box but the attacker volleyed his effort just over the bar before Peter Cholopi agonizingly headed over the bar Mpinganjira’s corner-kick.

Dalits Khungwa for Wanderers was invited to make a crucial save to deny the Servants from taking the lead when Chikaiko Batison laid the ball off to Moses Banda whose rifling shot was palmed away in the 33rd minute. In a flash, Wanderers wasted another good chance when they moved out of their zone on counterattack but Manda ballooned his effort into the air.

Wanderers were limited to create chances from open play with Civil’s compacted defense. Their chances were coming from set-pieces and Cholopi again missed a good opportunity after being found in the box by Mpinganjira.

Bob Mpinganjira was forced to make a change when Gaddie Chirwa sustained an injury and he was replaced by Isaac Kaliati while Masiya Manda left the stage for Clement Nyondo but nothing separated the two sides at the recess.

The second half started with both sides aiming for a lead as Civil forced Wanderers to defend the corner-kick before Wanderers doing the vice-versa was Mwalirino powered his header over the bar when he connected Sanudi’s delivery.

Civil won a free-kick just outside the penalty area after Moses Banda was brought down but Blessings Malinda’s curler hit the wall before Mwalirino rifled wide after being set up by Mpinganjira.

Bob needed new pair of legs when he introduced Promise Kamwendo for Mwalirino in the 60th minute. Civil were pressing their visitors to disturb their build-up and they nearly capitalized on Peter Cholopi’s slowness but Yankho Billiati’s shot was saved by Khungwa.

Dastin Banda for Civil missed a big opportunity when Blessings Malinda robbed the ball off Timothy Silwimba to spot his striker in the penalty area but Banda’s final touch was poor as Wanderers regrouped to put the ball away.

Despite all the changes, both teams failed to break the deadlock.

Bob rues missed chances

Mighty Wanderers Head Coach was left unimpressed with the finishing technique of his charges after the game saying they failed to use the chances that they created.

“We had chances which we did utilize but I have to praise my players for keeping the clean sheet. At least, we are going home with a point, from an away game, not bad. The league is now becoming competitive and we will have to sit down and plan well for the next games.

“We have to be collecting maximum points but we are understanding our recent results because we are playing against good teams and getting a point each from those games, not bad but we will try to work here and there so that when we start the second round, we should be getting points,” he said.

Abbas Makawa said his charges misses chances

“We knew that Mighty Wanderers would try to get chances and we tried to minimize their chances. We were just careless going forward because we had several chances that would have won us the game had we converted them.

“It was a simple game which we made it difficult for ourselves, but all days are not Sunday, they are the same players that have been scoring for us, we just have to praise them and look forward so that we get goals in our next games from the same chances.

“We started the league while struggling, we were building the team because we had new players in the team, you can see that it takes time for the team ti gel up. We will try to work well so that we do well in our next matches. We have to improve in each and every game.

“We are going to be playing cup games, we are not having a break but I will need the management to buy me at least a striker so that we come good in the second round. We are creating chances, yes we are scoring but we need a hitman.

“We are disappointed with the result because we squandered a lot of chances. We wanted to win the game. We are still improving the team.”