Africa Soccer MALAWI : Wasteful Nomads survive Red Lions scare

Be Forward Wanderers FC wasted two penalty opportunities before riding on a late substitute Mischeck Botomani’s goal to force a 1-1 draw with Red Lions at Kamuzu Stadium in Blantyre on Saturday afternoon.

Lions goalkeeper Jacob Kaunda stopped Wanderers leading striker Babatunde Adepoju’s first-half penalty after his strike partner Vincent Nyangulu was fouled in the box.

Then the man-of-the match Kaunda repeated his heroics in denying the Nigerian striker’s replacement Peter Wadabwa late on a cold afternoon.

Nyangulu went down seconds after trying to pounce on a rebound off Kaunda’s point blank save of the striker’s header.

Wanderers continued to pin Lions in their own half but either the Nigerian Adepoju lacked composure upfront or he was denied by Kaunda and defence pillar Piason Panje.

Sensing that Adepoju was loosing his composure, Wanderers coach Bob Mpinganjira pulled him out for Wadabwa, who too could not impose himself on the physical game.

Half-time ended goalless, thanks to Wanderers casual approach and the timid frontline.

When play resumed, Lions, who were smarting from last week’s 2-0 home loss to Moyale Barracks, upped the tempo with striker Matthew Simbeye threatening upfront, Chikoti Chirwa controlling the midfield and Kaunda stopping everything that the hosts threw at him.

The Nomads, who remain on ninth place with 19 points from 14 games, received warning signs deep in the second-half when  Khumbo Banda towered above the hosts defence only to guide his header into the empty terraces.

Eventually, Mpinganjira threw into action youthful strikers Aubrey Maloya and Botomani.

However, it was the Lions that roared the loudest when Simbeyi headed the ball past Wanderers goalkeeper William Thole from a corner-kick with five minutes to full-time.

Chasing the game, Mpinganjira introduced winger Mike Kaziputa for Francis Mlimbika and soon the changes paid dividents in dramatic fashion.

Panje conceded a penalty after handling Stanley Sanudi pass and from the spot, Kuanda punched out Wadabwa’s effort for a corner kick.

From the resultant corner kick, Botomani reacted the quickest to toe-poke home the leveler from the crowded goal-mouth.

Soon assertive referee Mayamika Kanjere blew the final whistle that left Lions on eighth place with 20 points from 14 matches.

Starting XI:

Wanderers: William Thole, Yunus Sherrif, Bongani Kayipa, Francis Mlimbika, Stanley Sanudi, Rafik Namwera, Alfred Manyozo, Isaac Kaliyati, Felix Zulu, Vincent Nyangulu, Babatunde Adepoju.

Lions: Jacob Kaunda, Chikoti Chirwa, Pilirani Tulu, James Mwese, Piason Panje,

Khumbo Banda, Matthews Boloweza, Chimwemwe Chidati, Moses Nankumba, Matthews Simbeyi, Henry Kamunga


Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *