Nomads, BB spring back
Striker Babatunde Adepoju’s brace yesterday at Kamuzu Stadium in Blantyre were enough to take Be Forward Wanderers second in the TNM Super League .
Mlatho Mponela had no response.
They were solid in defence and midfield, but struggled to score.
A mistake in the 28th minute saw Babatunde heading home to put Wanderers in the lead.
The only chance for Mlatho came in the 38th minute when striker Frazer Menyani was brought down near the penalty box.
A well-taken Semu Banda’s free-kick was saved by Nenani Juwaya.
Mlatho created good scoring chances in the second half, but the Nomads defence pillar of Harry Nyirenda, Peter Cholopi and Francis Mlimbika stood firm.
Mlatho lost it all in the 76th minute when Stanly Sanudi delivered a brilliant cross in the box for Babatunde to complete his brace.
Man of the match Erick Kaonga had a chance to give Mlatho a consolation in the 85th minute after he dribbled past three Wanderers players, but was fouled near the penalty box.
Nomads coach Bob Mpinganjira said it was a tough game.
“It is a new team. We struggled to handle them, but all in all we have collected maximum points,” he said.
Mlatho coach George Zulu praised his boys for a brilliant performance.
“We failed to clear long balls inside our half, so Babatunde is a tall player and he utilised those. We are still building the team and very soon we will be able to get goals,” he said.
In other games played yesterday, Kamuzu Barracks beat Dwangwa United 2-1 to maintin top spot with 17 points from eight games. Karonga United 1 Blue Eagles 0, Silver Strikers 1 Mighty Tigers 1.
In Mzuzu, Nyasa Big Bullets beat Moyale Barracks 2-0.
An own goal from Moyale’s Victor Gondwe in the 37rd minute and a Precious Phiri’s volley in the 43rd minute restored Bullets pride from 1-2 loss they suffered at the hands of Blue Eagles last week.
The match started on a high note with both sides aiming for an early lead.
The People’s Team had the first chance after Chiukepo Msowoya latched on to a pass from Precious Phiri, but goalkeeper McDonald Harawa came to his team’s rescue.
The striking duo of Peter Banda and Msowoya failed to make any impact early in the game as the Boy Boy Chima-led Moyale defence stood firm.
In the second half, Deus Nkutu was introduced for Wacheta Mwenefumbo for Moyale the home side while Mike Mkwate came in for Banda.
All of a sudden, Moyale were the better side as Lloyd Njaliwa latched on to a pass by Lesman Singini before heading at goal, but his attempt failed to beat Chiyenda.
Njaliwa had another chance to put Moyale in the lead in the 67th minute when his goal-bound shot was tamed by Chiyenda.
Moments later, Nkutu saw his header hitting the woodwork before Pilirani Zonda cleared the ball.
Bullets will meet Mzuzu University (Mzuni) FC today to complete their sojourn in Mzuzu.
Bullets are now on position four with 13 points from six games while Moyale lie ninth with 10 points from seven games.
Speaking in a post match interview, Bullets coach Callisto Pasuwa said the win is a motivation to the squad.
“It is nice that we won today,this is a great motivation to the boys and it is our hope that we will continue this way,” he said.
Moyale team manager Victor Phiri said they conceded soft goals.
“We did not play well, we were down today. We gave out silly goals,” he said.
