In their first Super League match after unveiling their new official sponsors, Mighty Mukuru Wanderers were forced to share the spoils with Blue Eagles after the two teams played out a 1-1 draw on Saturday afternoon at the Kamuzu stadium.
Although Blue Eagles looked more intent to find an early goal in the match, it was the Nomads who struck first.
Wanderers striker Muhamad Sulumba won the ball near the arch of the Eagles’ box in the 8th minute and managed to beat one opponent before unleashing a powerful low shot with his weaker foot which found the back of the net, leaving Eagles goalkeeper Brighton Munthali rooted o the ground.
Having played most of the opening minutes in nervous conditions, the Nomads found their nerve after grabbing that opening goal as they now started to build up possession in their play.
Sulumba’s moment of brilliance which inspired his 7th goal of the season and the Nomads’ resurgence was a strong question to Blue Eagles about their mentality and in response the visitors equalized through Mecium Mhone in the 23rd minute.
The Flames international found himself in the right position to produce a simple tap-in after Nomads goalkeeper Richard Chipuwa fumbled a Guard Chirwas’ powerful strike from outside the box.
The Nomads nearly re-established their lead in the 33rd minute when Isaac Kaliati swung a fine cross into the box but Chiukepo Msowoya’s connection with his head had little power behind it to beat goalkeeper, Brighton Munthali who parried it away for a corner kick.
The closing stages of the first half saw the visitors finally finding their usual vigorous attacking force as captain Schumacher Kuwali and Mhone launched swift attacks to keep the Nomads defence with no breathing space.
The desire to get into the front seat of the game for both teams remained the same after the resumption of the second half. Chances were plenty on both ends but the winning goal continued to be illusive for the hosts and the visitors thanks to both team’s failure to take their chances.
Introduced late in the game, the Nomads duo of Misheck Botomani and Vitumbiko Kumwenda made the hosts more spirited in their attack as they pushed for a winner.
There were clear chances for Sulumba, substitute Misheck Botomoni and Balikinho Mwakanyongo to punish the Eagles for defending too deeply in the dying ambers of the game but the visitors held on to salvage a draw that would have nearly turned into a loss if Kumwenda’s goal in the stoppage time, which already erupted the fans into celebrations, had not been not ruled out for a foul on Munthali.
The Nomads, after this result, still remain on third position with now 23 points after 12 games and Blue Eagles on second with 29 points after 13 games.
Getting only a point each from the match, the two teams still maintain their positions on the table but they will be gutted for fluffing the chance of reducing Nyasa Big Bullets’ lead at the top with 35 points after 13 games.
Focus for the Nomads will now be shifted to their two away matches against Mafco FC and Civil FC next weekend while Blue Eagles will now prepare to face Ekwendweni Hammers at Nankhaka on 2 July.
