Wa Ganyu 

The 2023 TNM Super League golden boot winner Clement Nyondo opened his goal tally for the new season with a lone goal as Mighty Mukuru Wanderers beat Karonga United 1-0 at the Kamuzu Stadium to maintain their unbeaten record.

This was Nyondo’s first goal for Wanderers in the league and it came just before the quarter hour mark.

The former Dedza Dynamos hitman got a pass from Gaddie Chirwa before making a run on goal to calmly slot the ball past Karonga United goalkeeper, Mclean Mwale.

The goal came just two minutes after Nyondo had missed a close chance by shooting wide from inside the box.

Wanderers dominated play and could have scored more goals in the opening half but lacked clinical finishing with Nyondo, Isaac Kaliati, Gaddie Chirwa the culprits.

Karonga United who were not completely bad as visitors and came close to pulling level on the dot of half time but Blessings Mwalilino’s shot beat goalkeeper Richard Chipuwa only to be denied entry by the woodwork.

Nyondo paved the way for Christopher Kumwembe in the 53rd minute, the second change for the Nomads who had replaced Wisdom Mpinganjira with Francisco Madinga at the start of the second half.

Kumwembe came close to doubling the Nomads lead 12 minutes after coming on but his shot from close range met the safe hands of Mwale.

Karonga United then made a triple change in the 71st minute with Robert Luhanga, Alfred Chizinga and Obie Raphael replacing Mwalilino, Pilirani Thulu and Allen Chihana. 

Former Wanderers coach Oscar Kaunda seemed to have realised that his men needed more aggression and the assumption helped a bit in seeing the team push forward in search for an equaliser.

Robert Luhanga almost spoiled the Nomads party with seven minutes to go when he put the ball in the net but the flag was up for offside to the relief of noisy Wanderers fans.

The win saw Wanderers take a temporary seat in second place while Karonga United occupied position 7.

Lineups: 

Wanderers: Richard Chipuwa, Felix Zulu ©, Stanley Sanudi, Peter Cholopi, Ahamadu Kung’unde, Timothy Silwimba, Isaac Kaliati (man of the match), Blessings Singini, Wisdom Mpinganjira, Clement Nyondo and Gaddie Chirwa. 

Karonga: Maclean Mwale, Justin Banda ©, Pilirani Thulu, Mathews Zaulombo, Elias Mywanga, Ellie Kayombo, Allen Chihana, Nanison Mbewe, William Mwalwimba, Blessings Mwalilino and Saulos Moyo.