Mighty Wanderers FC boosted their chances of reaching the semi-finals of the Airtel Top 8 after defeating CRECK Sporting Club 2-0 in the first leg of their quarter-final clash at Mpira Stadium on Sunday 14th June 2026.
After a tightly contested and goalless first half, the Nomads came out of the dressing room with renewed energy and struck twice within two minutes to put one foot in the last four.
Striker Blessings Mwalilino broke the deadlock in the 47th minute before Lameck Mithi doubled the advantage in the 49th minute after being picked out by Isaac Kaliati.
Both goals came from quickly taken free-kick situations, with CRECK caught napping as they delayed organising their defensive setup.
The opening half had been an evenly balanced affair, with both sides creating opportunities in an end-to-end encounter.
Wanderers’ wingers Dalitso Nahipa and Gaddie Chirwa repeatedly threatened from wide areas, while Kaliati squandered several decent chances.
CRECK, meanwhile, controlled large spells in the central midfield. Their attack was spearheaded by the towering striker Clever Chikwata, whose physical presence and aerial ability caused problems for Wanderers defenders Alex Kambirinya and Emmanuel Nyirenda.
The Nomads nearly opened the scoring in the 21st minute when Chirwa’s effort was brilliantly saved before Lameck Mithi’s follow-up header was also denied by the CRECK goalkeeper.
CRECK also enjoyed their moments, pinning Wanderers back for periods of the first half and almost capitalising on a communication mix-up between goalkeeper Dalitso Khungwa and Kambirinya.
However, Wanderers returned from the interval like a transformed side, dominating possession and dictating the tempo.
Chikwata, who had been a handful in the opening period, was effectively neutralised as the hosts took control.
CRECK attempted a late fightback after a quadruple substitution by Wanderers disrupted the hosts’ rhythm.
Jackson Beza nearly pulled one back in the 73rd minute, but Khungwa produced an excellent save to preserve his clean sheet. The visitors also struck the woodwork in the dying moments.
The result gives Wanderers a significant advantage heading into the second leg and keeps alive their hopes of winning a second Airtel Top 8 title, having last lifted the trophy in 2022.
Mighty Wanderers coach, Bob Mpinganjira, said he was overjoyed that his charges managed to score two goals without conceding against a tough CRECK Sporting side.
“We are so happy that the boys scored two goals and did not concede in this cup game. CRECK are a tough side and we have something to build on in the second leg in Lilongwe,” Mpinganjira said.
His counterpart, Chisomo Nkhoma, who is the first woman ever to take charge of an elite league team in Malawi, rued missed chances her charges created.
“We are very unlucky to lose today as we controlled the midfield and pressed them only that we could not be clinical enough to score. Unfortunately, we were also not organised defensively in the second half which led to the conceding of those two quick goals,” said Nkhoma.
Sunday’s quarter-final fixtures produced four goals as Silver Strikers also secured a 2-0 victory over Karonga United in Lilongwe.
On Saturday, 13th June 2026, only two goals were scored as defending champions FCB Nyasa Big Bullets were held to a 1-1 draw by Ekhaya FC, while Civil Service United FC and Blue Eagles FC played out a goalless stalemate.
Photo: FAM Facebook page
