Wanderers tighten grip on league leadership
Be Forward Wanderers yesterday beat Ntopwa FC 2-0 at Kamuzu Stadium in Blantyre to go five points clear and tighten their grip at the summit of the TNM Super League.
Mike Kaziputa and Babatunde Adepoju’s strikes ensured the Nomads took their tally to 33 points from 14 matches, five points ahead of second-placed Kamuzu Barracks (KB), who have played a game more.
Wanderers coach Bob Mpinganjira said he was excited with his team’s eighth straight win in the league.
“This was a tough match and we planned for it. We are happy to have secured the victory and go five points clear at the top.
“We are determined to complete our first round matches on top,” he said.
Ntopwa technical director Isaac Jomo Osman, whose team remains second from bottom of the 16-team log-table with 10 points from 14 games, said he was happy with the performance of his team and it was just unfortunate that they lost.
Kaziputa opened the score sheet in the 17th minute with a left-foot thunderbolt from the edge of the box after Adepoju’s pass.
Adepoju followed in the final minute of the match with a sublime finish after a goal-mouth scramble. He is still leading the golden-boot chase with 12 goals.
However, the featuring of their former captain Joseph Kamwendo deep in the second half seemed the most dearest moment for Wanderers supporters, who welcomed him with a rapturous applause and a standing ovation.
Nevertheless, the veteran midfielder, who doubles as Wanderers technical assistant, deserved it as this was his very first league match since he rejoined the Lali Lubani Road outfit after terminating a year-long contract with South African National First Division (NFD) side Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila (TTM) FC few months ago.
Ntopwa goalkeeper Richard Chimbamba was named man-of-the-match.
In another match, Silver Strikers beat Mlatho Mponela 2-1 at Silver Stadium in Lilongwe to move three places up to third after tying on 28 points with second-positioned KB. However, Silver have played 15 games, two more than KB. At Mzuzu Stadium, hosts Mzuni FC settled for a goalless draw with Karonga United.
