Malawi: Mighty Wanderers crowned champions, earn CAF Champions League return

Mighty Wanderers were crowned TNM Super League champions on Saturday after coming from behind twice to settle for a two-all draw with Lilongwe hosts Kamuzu Barracks FC. The seventh title guarantees the Blantyre-based giants a return to the CAF Champions League.

 

Bob Mpinganjira’s side went into the match at Bingu National Stadium with the championship already assured after having opened an unassailable five-point gap over second-placed FCB Nyasa Big Bullets the previous week. However, Wanderers had to do it the hard way, coming from behind twice before the party began on a largely deserted venue.

The going was not smooth for Wanderers as defensive midfielder John Banda put the soldiers from the army headquarters ahead with a 36th-minute strike. It took Mpinganjira’s side 11 minutes into the second-half to make a response through attacking midfielder Blessing Mwalilino close-range finish from a rebound.

How did Wanderers rescue a point against Kamuzu Barracks?

Striker Zeliat Nkhoma, who is among the TNM Super League’s leading scorers, restored Kamuzu Barracks’ lead in the 77th minute, as Wanderers seemed headed for their second loss of the season. However, veteran forward Muhammad Sulumba rose highest in the box to meet Adam Wallace’s cross and head the ball into the net deep in added time.

That proved to be the last goal of the afternoon as both teams shared the spoils for Mighty Wanderers to be officially crowned champions for the first time in eight years. Wanderers finished three points ahead of Bullets.

Wanderers remain third on the list of the overall title winners behind Silver Strikers’ nine and Bullets’ 17. Silver finished third after being held 1-1 by Blue Eagles FC on Saturday.

Down the table, Mighty Tigers lost 2-0 to Ekhaya FC to confirm their relegation alongside Songwe Border United, who also suffered a 5-0 defeat at the hands of Civo Service United. Ekwendeni Hammers have also been relegated, places for the bottom three will be taken up by regional league champions.

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