Wa Ganyu
Mighty Mukuru Wanderers’ season of happiness took a new twist when they were held by Bangwe All Stars to a goalless draw at Mpira Stadium in the TNM Super League.
Wanderers’ head coach Nsanzurwimo Ramadhan introduced a strong first eleven with Christopher Kumwembe partnering Clement Nyondo in front as Gaddie Chirwa and Wisdom Mpinganjira were playing behind them.
Peter Cholopi and Ahmadu Kung’unde were key at the back with Timothy Silwimba while Stanley Sanudi manned the left and right wings respectively.
Bangwe All Stars’ game plan was just to frustrate them by closing spaces and perhaps packing the bus to make sure no Wanderers striker could find the net.
Their game plan worked well mainly from the centre where Innocent Msowoya was commanding their movements together with James Msowoya.
Wanderers did find a breakthrough at 24 minutes when captain Felix Zulu’s powerful low drive was at the back of the net but the linesman flag was up for offside.
Another area which Bangwe closed was Wanderers’ attacking wings, hence stopping all movements by Wisdom Mpinganjira on the left and Chirwa on the right.
Bangwe defended with 7-8 players when Wanderers was attacking, stopping Kumwenda from having a shot on target and dispossessing his three chances. He was replaced at 42 minutes for Isaac Kaliati.
Introducing Kaliati meant that Chirwa would go up front to partner Nyondo and Kaliati would be operating from the midfield as an attacker with Zulu and Bakilinho Mwakanyongo holding the centre.
It was not possible. The first half ended with Wanderers registering two shots on target, five corner kicks and six chances created. Bangwe on the other hand had two corner kicks, one shot on target and two chances created.
The second half started with no changes from Bangwe assistant coach Mapopa Msukwa up to 67 minutes when he took out striker Maloya for midfielder Beston Jimu.
Sensing danger, Ramadhan could not hesitate but introduced striker Misheck Botomani for Mwakanyongo, meaning Nomads were playing with three strikers to try to give their fans happiness.
Nomads kept pressing but it was difficult to rip open the Bangwe shop. The only chances by Mpinganjira, Chirwa and Nyondo were kept out by goalkeeper Elias Missi who was voted man of the match.
After 90 minutes plus seven added, it was goalless with Bangwe players who are without a win in four matches, celebrating to have taken a point from Wanderers.
Home team caretaker coach Msukwa was happy.
“After analysing their past games, I realised that they always bank on their wing attackers so we made a plan to stop them and it worked.
“Three days with the team looks promising as my boys are adapting to my philosophy,” he said.
Wanderers assistant coach Meck Mwase was happy with his charges despite drawing with Bangwe.
“We played well, it was difficult to get a goal because they packed the bus the whole game,” he said.
Wanderers have dropped from top to third with 8 points, same with their rivals FCB Nyasa Big Bullets but Nomads have superior goal difference.
Bangwe moved from the bottom to position 14 with two points from the same number of games.
