Nomads end BT Utd honeymoon
Relief was the prevalent emotion ob Saturday at Lali Lubani Road when Mighty Wanderers finally ended Blantyre United’s record run with a 1-0 win in a Presidential Cup first-round contest at Kamuzu Stadium in Blantyre that sent the blue side of town into ecstasy.
United, popularly known as Mphembedzu, were the only side that beat the Nomads back-to-back in the Super League last season and, no wonder, the Nomads faithful erupted into wild jubilation after the final whistle.
Such was the significance of the victory for the Nomads that they broke into their popular chorus: “Ana ang’ono, mumachita matama!“
Jacob Ngwira struck the priceless lone goal for the Nomads in the 57th minute. He swung upfield to beautifully plant home his former Escom United team-mate Benard ‘Benzo’ Harawa’s well-curled corner-kick that squirmed past ‘keeper Carringtone Misomali.
It was a beauty that took the fans down memory lane when Ngwira scored from almost the same position and past the same goal post for the Flames in a 2010 joint World Cup and Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Cote d’ Ivoire which ended in a one-one draw four years ago.
That said, United were the better side, especially in the opening stages in which they forced the Nomads into rearguard action with Tafara Mopiwa and Abraham Kamwendo—young brother to Flames captain and former Nomad Joseph—attacking with a breathtakingly sumptuous flair.
However, they failed to make good use of the plethora of chances they created.
Wanderers coach Stuart Mbolembole and top fan Yona Malunga said they were happy with the victory.
Said Malunga: “We have always had problems with Blantyre United and, honestly, it is a big relief that we have beaten them today.”
On his part, Mbolembole said: “They [Blantyre United] give us a tough time and we have every reason to celebrate, but having said that, we still have to work on finishing power.”
United’s coach Elia Kananji said: “I think the boys played quite well, but we couldn’t make use of the good chances we created.”
