By McLloyd Kudzingo
Isaac Kaliati came off the bench to score twice as Mighty Mukuru Wanderers beat Premier Bet Dedza Dynamos 3-1 on Saturday afternoon to move fourth on the TNM Super League log table.
Coming from two back to back losses against Silver Strikers and Mzuzu City Hammers, the Nomads new that having an early lead would increase their chances of getting maximum points and they did just that through Christopher Kumwembe.
Kumwembe put the Nomads in front just three minutes from kick-off connecting with a header a beautiful cross from Wisdom Mpinganjira.
Making his debut for Wanderers, striker Sama Thierry Tanjong almost doubled the lead for the hosts in the sixth minute but Dedza defence made it possible to to deny the Cameroonian his first goal in Malawi’s elite league.
Chifuniro Mpinganjira leveled the scores for the visitors in the 19th minute following a Lameck Gamphani’s cross which was missed by Marco Chiwaya and Victor Lungu before finding Mpinganjira who made no mistake but to finish with his left foot past goalkeeper Richard Chipuwa.
Two minutes before the end of the first half, Wanderers coach Meke Mwase replaced the injured Christopher Kumwembe with Vincent Nyangulu and also introduced the experienced legs of Felix Zulu and Isaac Kaliati at the beginning of the second half.
The two midfielders replaced former Dynamos striker Clement Nyondo and the Cameroonian Sama Thierry Tanjong. Dedza on the other hand replaced Victor Lungu with Limbani Phiri.
The substitution proved fruitful for the Nomads as Kaliati managed to put his name on the score sheet in the 51st minute with a beautiful shot outside the penalty box beating Dynamos goalkeeper Anthony Singini.
Kaliati who was also voted man of the match, completed his brace in the 64th minute as he headed home from a Peter Cholopi corner kick.
The Nomads win comes just days after the departure of head coach Sanzurwimo Ramadhan who resigned following the team’s loss to Mzuzu City Hammers last weekend.
With Saturday’s win, Wanderers have dislodged neighbours FCB Nyasa Big Bullets on fourth position on the log table as they have now accumulated 15 points a point ahead of the People’s team.
Bullets however, have got a chance to go third on the log table if they win in a much anticipated match against Silver Strikers on Sunday.
Elsewhere, Hassan Luwembe scored a brace to help rookies FOMO FC beat Mzuzu City Hammers 2-1 at Mulanje Park Stadium. Isaac Msiska scored the visitors’ consolation from the penalty spot.
FOMO are currently on position 11 on the log table with 10 points and despite the loss, Mzuzu City Hammers remain third on the log table with 16 points after playing 9 games.
There was another win for the rookies at Chitowe Stadium as Creck Sporting SC came from behind to beat Mafco FC 2-1 and move to position 8 on the log table.
Mafco who are on position 13, were the first to score through Peter Kasonga but the visitors equalised through Gift Kadawati before Yasin Chida scored the winner with just three minutes before the end of the match.
In Mzuzu, a lone goal by Raphael Phiri was enough to give Moyale Barracks maximum points as they beat Mighty Tigers 1-nil at Mzuzu Stadium.
Moyale are on position 7 on the log table with 14 points while the Kau-Kau Boys remain on 10th position after accumulating 11 points.
Two games have been lined up on Sunday as Bangwe All Stars hosts Chitipa United at Mpira Stadium and the big one between defending champions FCB Nyasa Big Bullets and league leaders Silver Strikers will take place at Kamuzu Stadium.
