A second half goal by midfielder Francis Mkonda was all what Mighty Mukuru Wanderers needed to end Silver Strikers’ remarkable 11 game unbeaten run in the TNM Super League.
Mkonda headed home Emmanuel Nyirenda’s glancing cross from the left wing to give his side the 1-0 a minute into the second half.
However the talking point of the day was officiation by referee Mayamiko Kanjere who produced 4 Red Cards to the Central Bankers with 3 going to members of the technical panel while 1 went to defender Nixon Mwase.
First to see Red was Assistant Coach Peter Mgangira who was shown a straight red card for protesting the referee’s decision to award a freekick to the nomads on 34 minutes.
Things moved from bad to worse in the second when Mgangira’s boss Pieter De Jong was also shown the Marching orders for again protesting against Kanjere’s decisions throughout the match.
The Head Coach would later be followed for an early shower by Goalkeeper’s trainer Sibusiso Padambo you on 91 minutes who saw red for verbal altercation with the fourth official.
Kanjere was not yet done with the Central Bankers as Flames international defender Nixon was his next victim in added time after he was again dismissed for headbutting Wanderers striker Chiukepo Msowoya.
It was a day to forget the Central Bankers.
Save for the Red Cards it was a balanced affair in the first 30 minutes with both teams creating chances of their own but finishing was the biggest problem of the day.
The Bankers were first to create a good ascoring opportunity after 9 minutes when a Mark Fodya delivery in the box found an unmarked Stain Davie but his attempt missed the target.
The Bankers came again after 23 minutes when Maxwell Paipi was unmarked again in the box but he fired his shot over the bar.
Three minutes later the Nomads had a golden opportunity as Gaddie Chirwa picked Vincent Nyangulu in the box but he failed to hit the target with a close range header.
Mighty Mukuru Wanderers continued to pile pressure on the Bankers and their second big chance fell on 30 minutes as Vitumbiko Kumwenda whipped a dangerous cross from a freekick to Miracle Gabeya who headed over the bar.
There was no goal until half time.
However a goal would just a minute into the second half through an advancing Wanderers Midfielder Francis Mkonda who connected home a pin point cross from the left from full back Emmanuel Nyirenda.
Mkonda came close to doubling Wanderers’ on 77 minutes but his header inside the box from Wisdom Mpinganjira’s cross went wide.
The Bankers introduced Atusaye Nyondo, Adiel Kaduya and Dunken Nyoni for Zebron Kalima, Uchizi Vunga and Stain Davie to add more power upfront but Nomads defence manned by Miracle Gabeya and Lawrence Chaziya stood firm to deny them any scoring chance.
1-0 is how is how it would finish in favour of Mighty Mukuru Wanderers, a win that has somehow relieved pressure on under fire Wanderers Coach Mark Harrison.
In a post match interview Silver Coach Pieter De Jong could not hide displeasure at the officiating personnel.
“we created chances in the first half which we failed to score but it’s difficult for a team to play against 14 players.
I received a red card but this is personal, the whole Stadium saw that I did nothing. Maybe it’s time to say goodbye to everyone I go and coach in another country.” Said De Jongh
His counterpart Mark Harrison admitted that it was a hard fought victory.
“It was a very difficult game we prepared for them and players were exceptional today” said Harrison
The victory has moved the Nomads to just 4 points off league leaders Nyasa Big Bullets.
They remain third though with 22 points and a game in hand.
For the Bankers defeat means they have missed out on an opportunity to reclaim top spot as they remain second with 25 points 1 off league leaders FCB Nyasa Big Bullets.
However just like Wanderers the Central Bankers too have a game in hand.
