Nomads outclassed

Be Forward Wanderers were left searching their souls yesterday after yet another shambolic display that saw them lose to Mzuzu University (Mzuni) FC 2-4 in their last TNM Super League first round fixture at Kamuzu Stadium in Blantyre.

The Nomads, who appeared horribly and repeatedly fragile at the back, have finished the first round on unenviable seventh position in the 16-team league with 24 points while Mzuni have moved up two places to a respectable fifth position with 27 points.

The Mzuzu-based students floated like butterflies and stung like bees as the Nomads danced to their tune.

Led by the unstoppable Hudson Milanzi who struck a brace, Mzuni showed characteristic grit to come from a goal down to win the game in which they swept aside the Lali Lubani Road outfit with ease.

Jimmy Zakazaka drew first blood for the Nomads in the fifth minute to send Nyerere into delirium.

However, their joy was short-lived as Mzuni reorganised themselves and found a fruitful avenue in Nomads’ central defence where Harry Nyirenda and Boston Kabango’s coordination was poor, leading to the equaliser in the 14th minute through Frustone Chisi.

They went on to take the lead three minutes later through Milanzi.

At the dot of half-time, Lwindiko Mushane made it 3-1 and it became clear that the blue side of town had lost the plot.

Then came a moment of utter beauty in the 68th minute when Milanzi claimed the fourth which would probably compete for the goal of the tournament.

There was the sight of him in full pace on the right flank with the ball firmly under control and then, in a flush, he defied the acute angle and like Muhammad Ali at the peak of his athletic powers, he stung like a bee—his 25-metre drive curling into the far left corner of the net, leaving Nomads’ ‘keeper Richard Chipuwa stunned.

It was a beauty that had all the hallmarks of theatre and art that is for sure and the Nomads faithful knew at that point that it was over. And even when the referee awarded them a penalty towards the end of the match for a foul, the damage had already been done.

Peter Wadabwa converted the spot-kick to tie with Mafco FC’s Richard Mbulu as joint leading scorer on 11 goals.

The penalty drew protests from the students and in the heat of the moment, their coach Alex Ngwira was shown the red card and had to watch the closing stages from the VIP enclosure.

Wanderers team manager Stevie Madeira admitted that his team was hopeless on the afternoon.

“Mzuni made us look very ordinary; they were by far a better side and this should give us food for thought as we head for the first round break,” he said.

On his part, Ngwira said: “We planned well for this game. We used more energy and pace because we knew Wanderers could not stand the heat.”

At Chitowe Stadium in Dwangwa, Nkhotakota, defending champions Nyasa Big Bullets were held to a barren draw by rookies Dwangwa United.

Bullets have finished the first round on sixth position with 25 points while Dwangwa are still second from the bottom with eight points.