Bullets to end 10-year league title drought?

After a barren 10-year search for the holy grail, it now appears rosy on the red side of town and Big Bullets can win the TNM Super League title this afternoon if they clear one more hurdle that is Moyale Barracks in what has been dubbed a title decider.

The setting is the country’s ceremonial home of football—Kamuzu Stadium—in Blantyre.

The last time Bullets won the title was during the 2004/05 season, 10 years ago to be precise, and with a three-point cushion, they have the destiny of the flagship league championship within their grasp.

Two seasons ago, Bullets came agonisingly close, but sadly finished second to Silver Strikers due to an inferior goal difference after tying on points.

It has been a long time and it now appears the sleeping giant is waking up from a deep slumber and, ironically, it will be their 10th league title if they carry the day this afternoon.

Bullets top the table with 56 points, three ahead of Moyale who are breathing down their necks. And such is their luxury that they could wrap it up with a game to spare against Blantyre United next weekend.

But in the event that today’s showdown goes Moyale’s way, then the race will go down to the wire as the two teams will be tied on points.

Bullets’ stunning revival, in which they have not lost at home, has to be the fairy-tale of the season so far. You have to take a bow to them for the way they have turned it around.

Thousands of Bullets fans will troop to Kamuzu Stadium hoping that their team will turn back the hands of time to the golden era when they ruled domestic football.

But while the league title appears within sniffing distance, it will certainly not be a stroll in the park for Bullets as the Kaning’ina soldiers, who finished runners-up last season, will be hoping to get it right this time around.

Finishing second again will not provide Moyale with a blanket of comfort.

Moyale team manager Victor Phiri said although Bullets have a three-point advantage, the title chase is still open.

“Bullets will have an added advantage playing at home, but to us this will be more or less a cup final because we need to win at all cost to remain in contention.

“If we win on Saturday, then it will go down to the wire. We have no pressure going into this match and we are taking it calmly,” said Phiri.

He also said the fact that Bullets have not lost a game at home and that they beat them 2-1 in the first-round, does not send a shiver down their spines.

Twin strikers Gastin Simkonda and Deus Nkutu, who are the league’s leading scorers with 17 and 16 goals respectively, carry the hopes for Moyale. Their other potential match winners are Chamveka Gwetsani and Chrispin Fukizi.

Simkonda said they are coming to Blantyre with self-belief and determination.

“Zikachitika! [It will happen],” declared Simkonda while in transit to Blantyre on Thursday.

For a team that is on the threshold of glory, Bullets were a refreshing oasis of calm as they tuned up for the showdown and coach Elia Kananji said the importance of the match cannot be overemphasised.

“In real sense it is a title-decider because the result will determine the course of the title,” said Kananji, who has been at the centre of the revolution of the People’s Team.

Fischer Kondowe, Jimmy Zakazaka and James Chilapondwa were part of the Bullets squad that last won the title a decade ago. The trio will be out to turn back the hands of time with a vintage show that will cheer the spirits of their faithful.

In another league match this afternoon, Mighty Wanderers wind up what has otherwise been a tough season when they host Airborne Rangers in Balaka.

The Nomads are ninth on 34 points and the furthest they can go is eighth that will provide them solace in the Standard Bank Knockout Cup automatic qualification.