1 out of 6
Nyasa Big Bullets were yesterday left searching their souls after one of their worst starts in the TNM Super League that saw them collect just a point from a possible six in their Northern Region sojourn.
The People’s Team went down 1-0 to Moyale Barracks at Mzuzu Stadium yesterday, barely 24 hours after being held to a goalless draw by rookies Chitipa United.
Black Aliseni was the toast of the day for the Kaning’ina Lions when he connected home a Chamveka Gwetsani corner kick in the 20th minute.
The Malawi Defence Force (MDF) outfit dictated the pace of the game with Gwetsani and Boy-Boy Chima at the hub of their best moves, but their efforts were denied by Bullets’ goalkeeper Ernest Kakhobwe.
Bullets had their moments too and diminutive forward Mussa Manyenje came close to scoring in the 35th minute, but his effort was denied by the woodwork. That was the closest the People’s Team came to hitting back.
In the second half, Bullets made three changes, taking off Henry Kabichi, Muhammad Sulumba and Pilirani Zonda for Cuthbert Sinetre, Dave Banda and George Nyirenda, respectively, but the soldiers held on.
Bullets coach Nsanzurwimo Ramadhan said his team dominated the game, but could not find the back of the net.
“There were lots of positives from the game that we can build on. Another thing is that officiation let us down, but this is not meant to be an excuse,” he said.
Moyale’s acting coach Charles Kamanga hailed his charges for their fighting spirit.
“Credit should go to my players, they fought gallantly from the first to the last whistle and with an ounce of luck, we could have won by more goals because we dominated the match,” he said.
At Kalulu Stadium in Nchalo, Azam Tigers and Silver Strikers played out a one-all draw.
The Kau-Kau Boys were the first to score through Precious Phiri in the 40th minute before Green Harawa levelled the scores deep in the second half.
The Bankers have returned to the capital city with two points after being held to a barren draw by Wizards on Saturday.
In other matches, Mafco FC got off to a good start with a 1-0 win over Epac FC 1-0 at an almost empty Civo Stadium in Lilongwe. Dalitso Mwale scored the lone goal in the 75th minute.
At Zomba Community Centre Ground, rejuvinated Innocent Bokosi—who was the joint top scorer in the 2015 season alongside Chiukepo Msowoya—claimed the first hat-trick of the season when he inspired Red Lions to a 4-1 win over returnees Blantyre United.
Kumbukani Mwambeni scored the other goal for the Zomba-based soldiers while Ian Banda netted the consolation goal for United in what was the highest scoring game so far..
At Nankhaka Ground in Lilongwe, Blue Eagles were held to a goalless draw by Mzuzu University (Mzuni). n
