….Wanderers 4-1 Karonga
By Edwin Mbewe
BLANTYRE-(MaraviPost)-Mighty Wanderers FC produced a dominant performance at Mpira Stadium on Wednesday afternoon, defeating Karonga United FC 4-1 in a thrilling 2026 FDH Bank Premiership encounter.
The rescheduled midweek fixture saw striker Lameck Mithi steal the spotlight with a superb hat-trick as the Nomads secured their third win of the season to move up to third place on the league table.
Wanderers started the match brightly and opened the scoring in the 15th minute through Isaac Kaliati, who calmly finished from a well-worked assist by Blessings Mwalilino.
The home side continued to dominate proceedings, with Dalitso Nahipe causing problems for the visitors’ defence.
Five minutes later, Mithi doubled the lead with a powerful header from Kaliati’s perfectly delivered corner kick.
Wanderers nearly extended their advantage further in the 27th minute, but Mwalilino failed to convert from close range as the Nomads maintained possession and dictated the tempo with fluent passing football.
Despite being under pressure for most of the first half, the Crocodiles pulled one back in the 35th minute through Alex Benson, who chipped home after receiving a pass from Michael Mwalilino.
Karonga United goalkeeper Eddie Jamu later produced a brilliant save to deny Blessings Singini late in the first half as Wanderers went into the break with a comfortable lead.
At the start of the second half, Karonga United head coach Audrow Makonyola made tactical changes, introducing William Mwakhwawa and Yusuf Adesola Abdul-Waheed in an attempt to revive his side.
The substitutions improved Karonga’s performance, with Elias Myawanga becoming increasingly influential in attack.
Sensing the shift in momentum, Wanderers coach Bob Mpinganjira responded with a triple substitution in the 60th minute, bringing on Gaddie Chirwa, Promise Kamwendo and Dan Kudonto.
Karonga United created several chances in the second half with Pilirani Thulu missing a clear opportunity in the 68th minute before testing goalkeeper Dalitso Khungwa moments later from a free kick.
Promise Kamwendo also squandered a chance for Wanderers in the 71st minute when his header sailed over the crossbar after connecting with a delivery from Nahipe.
However, the Nomads sealed the victory in dramatic fashion in the 88th minute when Mithi completed his hat-trick with a thunderous left-footed strike to make it 4-1 and put the result beyond doubt.
Mithi’s outstanding performance earned him the Player of the Match award.
The victory lifts Wanderers to third position in the 2026 FDH Bank Premiership standings, level on 10 points with Blue Eagles FC but ahead on goal difference.
Heading into the encounter, Wanderers already held the advantage in the head-to-head record between the two sides.
Since 2018, the teams had met 11 times, with the Nomads winning six matches compared to Karonga United’s three victories, while two encounters ended in draws.
During the 2025 campaign, Wanderers defeated Karonga United 2-0 at Kamuzu Stadium after the first-round meeting at Karonga Stadium had ended in a 1-1 draw.