By Hastings Wadza Kasonga Jr
Christopher Kumwembe netted the 2023 season first hat trick as he inspired Mighty Mukuru Wanderers to a 3-0 win over Red Lions at the Balaka Stadium on Saturday afternoon to open a two point gap at the summit.
The current league top scorer with 4 goals, scored one in the first half and completed the hat trick before the hour mark as the Nomads dominated the soldiers in the match. Head for the Nomads, Mark Harrison said he is happy with the win as his team is now at 70% of its building.
“We played very well and happy to get this amazing win. The players are suiting well to the play, we are almost 70% to be perfect, I am happy for the progress.” Said Harrison.
Meanwhile, Mike Kumanga, head coach for the Reds said his side was disjointed and gifted the Nomads the goals.
“We played a departmental football and failed to contain Wanderers. We thought of blocking them from attacking through wings but we made some mistakes that made us to gift them the goals.” Kumanga said.
The two sides played a balanced game in the first 25 minutes with the Nomads trying to open the hosts defence but failed and a Mwetse’s free kick was cleared on the line by Thole. The Nomads played strings of passes and Sanudi delivered a ball that landed into Kumwembe’s head to open the scores on 39th minute.
Lions made three changes as they start the second half but Kumwembe came with the second on 55th minute after beating the defender plus the goalkeeper before sealing his hat trick with a header three minutes later.
The win takes the Nomads to 6 points with 28 games to go while Lions are 14th with a point from two games.
Meanwhile, in Lilongwe, Chimwemwe Idana’s 2nd minute goal was enough for Silver Strikers to claim maximum points as they down Blue Eagles 0-1 at the Nankhaka Stadium. In the game, Peter De Jongh got another yellow card after delaying to give the ball and two players, Schumacher Kuwali and Nickson Mwase were sent off for exchanging brows.
The win is the first for De Jongh which takes them up to second with 4 points while Eagles have a point after two home games.
In Blantyre, Bangwe All Stars remain unbeaten in their first two games after playing a 0-0 draw with Mighty Tigers. Tigers are now third with 4 points while the rookies are 6th with 2 points.
A derby in Karonga ended was a four goal thriller after a 90th minute Ramadhan Ntafu’s goal denied Karonga United all points as Chitipa United drew 2-2 with their rivals.
Mabuchi Msiska opened the scores for Chitipa on 5 minutes but Sheriff Shamama levelled on 45 minutes before Saulos Moyo put Karonga ahead on 82nd minute. Ntafu eclipsed the lead on 90 minutes to share the points. Karonga fifth with 2 points while Chitipa have a point in two games.
Action continues on Sunday as FCB Nyasa Bullets hosts MAFCO, Moyale Barracks date Ekwendeni Hammers in the Mzuzu derby, Kamuzu Barracks are on road again to Dedza to play Dedza Dynamos and Civo United are at home to Extreme FC.
