BB beat Silver in Misa MW fundraiser
Blantyre-based Nyasa Big Bullets yesterday beat Silver Strikers 2-0 in a fundraising match organised to raise funds for the Media Institute of Southern Africa (Misa)-Malawi Chapter at Silver Stadium in Lilongwe.
According to Misa Malawi chairperson Tereza Ndanga, the match was one of the main activities to raise funds for an office building.
Striker Bright Munthali put Bullets ahead with an instinctive strike in the 28th minute after Silver defenders Yunus Sheriff and Mike Roberts had failed to clear a Fischer Kondowe cross, allowing Munthali to pounce on the loose ball and slot it past helpless goalkeeper Blessings Kameza.
The People’s Team featured most of their experienced players such as Fischer Kondowe, Nelson Kangunje, Kondwani Kumwenda, Sankhani Mkandawire, Pilirani Zonda, Henry Kabichi and Bashir Maunde while Silver’s line-up was dominated by new signings such as Mphatso Philiemon, Zikani Kasambara, Jack Chiona, Damiano Kunje and Chisomo Mpachika.
Silver were the dominant side in the first half with five attempts on goal as Philiemon, Kunje, Chiona and Duncan Nyoni run rampant.
Nyoni came closest to scoring after 24 minutes but his back-heel attempt was stopped by Bullets goaltender Rabson Chiyenda.
Bullets led 1-0 at half-time and seven minutes after recess Munthali nearly doubled the lead but he headed wide a Kondowe corner-kick as Bullets tried to kill the game.
Mike Mkwate also had his shot parried into touch by Kameza for a corner a couple of minutes later.
Sensing the dwindling energy in the midfield, Bullets removed Kumwenda and Kabichi for Chimwemwe Idana and
Chimango Kaira, respectively while the Bankers had earlier on substituted Duncan Nyoni for Newman Mwasamale.
Bullets upped the pressure and got the second in the 76th minute through Kangunje who scored from a rebound after Munthali’s goal-bound shot was blocked by a Silver defender.
To counter Bullets’ pressing game, Silver took off Jack Chiona for Green Harawa and Kasambara for Timothy Chitedze but Bullets hang on to their lead.
Bullets team manager James Chilapondwa hailed his players for shrugging off fatigue to win the match.
“We travelled at night from Sharpevale where we played a tough match against Mafco; hence, the slow start to the game. But the players recovered to put up a gallant performance that won us the game,” he said.
His counterpart Francis Songo rued missed chances, saying: “We were in a better position to win this encounter. We created many chances which we failed to make use of. This game has come at the right time. We need to rectify our finishing problems before the start of the season.” n
