Nomads back, switch attention to league title

Eliminated Malawi representatives in CAF Champions League Mighty Wanderers yesterday returned home and immediately switched their attention to the FDH Bank Premiership.

The Nomads will conclude the first round this Saturday at Nankhaka Ground in Area 30, Lilongwe, with Blue Eagles standing between them and the summit.

The defending champions , who arrived home through Bakili Muluzi International Airport in Chileka, Blantyre, are smarting from a heavy 6-1 defeat against Tanzanian giants Simba Sporting Club in the second leg which saw them crash out of the continental competition 7-1 on aggregate.

Wanderers midfielder Blessings Singini upon arrival at the airport.

Courtesy of Wanderers

The Nomads lost 1-0 in the first leg at Bingu National Stadium in Lilongwe a week earlier.

Interim coach McDonald ‘Nginde’ Mtetemera said the team will put the Dar es Salaam debacle behind them and focus on domestic matters.

He said: “We have to learn from what happened, but we cannot continue thinking about it.

“We have to recover mentally and physically and give our best against Blue Eagles because this is another important competition for us.”

Wanderers go into the encounter with 29 points from 14 matches, one point behind leaders FCB Nyasa Bullets who have completed 15 games.

Blue Eagles are fourth on 28 points and a victory over Wanderers will see them ascend to the top with 31 points.

Silver Strikers are also on 29 points, but have completed their first round assignments.

The equation is straightforward for Wanderers as a victory would take them to 32 points and send them to the top of the table at the halfway stage of the campaign.

A draw is also enough for Wanderers since they have a better goal difference over Bullets.

Mtetemera said they would like to finish on top of the table as they did last season on their way to the league title victory.

“It’s an important game against Blue Eagles and we need to concentrate on that.

“We want to finish the first round strongly and put ourselves in a good position in the title defence,” he said.

Wanderers have won eight, drawn five and lost once, scoring 26 goals and conceding nine in their opening 14 matches.

Blue Eagles, meanwhile, have also enjoyed a competitive campaign.

They have nine victories, one draw and four defeats, meaning they can also move into the title conversation with a positive result.

Eagles coach DeKlerk Msakakuona in an interview said they are equally eyeing the top spot.

The second round will resume on October 10.

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