By McLloyd Kudzingo
Blessings Mwalilino’s first-half goal was enough to give Mighty Wanderers a crucial 1-0 win over city-rivals FCB Nyasa Big Bullets in a feisty Blantyre derby played at Kamuzu Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
The former Karonga United striker scored an easy tap-in just 12 minutes from kick-off after Bullets defence failed to clear a Francisco Madinga’s well taken corner-kick.
The home side looked sharper right from the word go as they got their first chance just 2Â minutes from kick-off through Wisdom Mpinganjira but Bullets goalkeeper Innocent Nyasulu was in the right place to make a crucial save.
Six minutes later, Bullets won a free kick and Wongani Lungu stepped up to take the set piece but it was comfortably saved by Nomads goalkeeper Chancy Mtete.
Mwalilino almost doubled the lead in the 17th minute but his long-range shot was fumbled for a corner-kick by Nyasulu.
The Nomads continued to dominate possession and Blessings Singini almost found the back of the net in the 19th minute but his powerful shot was again saved by Nyasulu.
Towards the end of the first half, Gaddie Chirwa almost put his name on the score sheet but again Nyasulu was equal to the task.
In the second half, Bullets coach Peter Mponda made a double substitution, bringing in Chawanangwa Gumbo and Henry Chiwaya for midfielder Mike Mkwate and captain Lloyd Aaron.
However, the Nomads continued from where they stopped as they missed yet another chance in the 51st minute through Gaddie Chirwa’s whose shot went over the cross bar.
In the 60th minute Wanderers coach Bob Mpinganjira brought in Masiya Manda and Clement Nyondo for Promise Kamwendo and Gaddie Chirwa
Nyondo found the back of the net in the 73rd minute with a beautiful finish but his goal was ruled out for an offside.
A minute later the Nomads brought in Nanison Mbewe and Emmanuel Nyirenda for Felix Zulu and Francisco Madinga.
The home side continued to push for the second goal and Masiya Manda almost registered his name on the score-sheet in the 83rd minute when he received a pass from Clement Nyondo but again his shot went over the bar.
Bullets on the other hand had a couple of chances but Wanderers defence led by Peter Cholopi proved to be too strong for Bullets’ striking force led by the Babatunde Adepoju.
The win means that the Nomads have narrowed the gap with Bullets on the log table to two points as they have now accumulated 16 points from 6 games.
Bullets on the other hand, remain top on the log table with 18 points but they have played a game more than the Lali Lubani side.
In other matches played on Saturday Creck Sporting who have just parted ways with their coach Joseph Kamwendo, beat Mafco FC 2-1 at Chitowe Stadium .
Frank Phiri and Hassan Hussein were on target for Creck while Prince Kachere scored Mafco’s consolation .
Kamuzu Barracks (KB) and Premier Bet Dedza Dynamos played out to a 2-all draw at Champion Stadium in Dowa.
Francis Mchema and Zelliat Nkhoma scored for KB while Chifuniro Mpinganjira scored all the two goals for the visitors before missing a spot-kick in the dying minutes of the match.
The match between Blue Eagles and Ekhaya FC ended goalless as bottom placed Songwe United lost 1-0 to Karonga United in a Karonga derby played at Karonga Stadium.
