National Sports

Bullets humiliated

This was the stuff of footballing fantasy. Silver Strikers on Saturday made a roaring start to the defence of their TNM Super League crown with a 4-0 comprehensive demolition of fallen giants Big Bullets who never looked remotely capable of challenging their goal-hungry hosts at Silver Stadium in Malawi’s capital, Lilongwe.

In Blantyre, the entertainment was compelling and the drama ceaseless as a frenzied late assault earned Mighty Wanderers a deserved but seemingly unlikely 3-2 victory over strong-willed Moyale at the Kamuzu Stadium.

In the Capital City clash, the Bullets were dealt a body blow in the first 15 minutes when Douglas ‘Section 65’ Chirambo was shown the red card following a crude tackle on Dave Moya while his abusive language towards the referee only worsened the situation.

And from then on, the Bankers took control of the proceedings and drew first blood through Moya who sweetly connected home a fine cross from Jester Mulima after 23 minutes.

Bullets’ only nearly levelled the score in the 29th minute but he failed to connect the ball home with Silver’s goalminder Alex Makina, already beaten.

With a man short, the People’s Team could not stand the heat and they conceded three more goals in the second half.

Asedi Ayami hit the second in the 54th minute and then Rodrick Gonani—who was in magnificent form— struck a brace in the 70th and 87th minute respectively, capping a humiliating afternoon for the Bullets.

Silver team manager Sibusiso Padambo described the triumph as the perfect start in their quest to retain the title.

“The first 15 minutes were very tough, but as soon as we settled down, we couldn’t look back. It’s a good start for us,” said Padambo.

Bullets assistant coach Gerald Phiri admitted that the Bankers were a better side.

“They [Silver] deserved to win. We didn’t play well, there was no coordination in midfield,” he said

In Blantyre, new look Moyale started at full throttle and kept the Nomads on the back foot. They were unlucky not to take the lead in the 15th minute when Boy Boy Chima’s curling right-footer hit the post with the Nomads’ veteran goaltender Vales Kamzere well beaten and relief was the prevalent emotion in the Nomads camp.

The Nomads then started gaining momentum and Diverson Chilemba broke the deadlock in the 33rd minute.

Typical of Fernando Torres’ superb strike for Chelsea in a recent Champions League semi-final clash against Barcelona, Chilemba beat an ill-conceived off-side trap and then coolly slotted the ball past Moyale goalkeeper Cheya Sikwewa—it was all simple like the cheeks of a newly born baby, nothing was forced from a striker soaring with confidence.

The Nomads went two up six minutes into the second half through midfield workhorse Nafe Msasa—who was undoubtedly the man-of-the-match—with a curling drive from an acute angle.

However, the Mzuzu-based soldiers never gave up and they pulled one back through substitute Sunganani Matiko with a stylish first time finish that gave Kamzere no chance. The goal boosted Moyale’s confidence and barely two minutes later, they stunned the Nomads with an equaliser, again through Matiko.

And as time ticked away, the stadium oozed anxiety. But with only four minutes to full time, Chilemba struck the priceless winner to send the Nomads faithful, popularly known as ‘nyerere’, into frenzy.

The match was well handled by grade one referee Fransisco Scova, who kept a firm line.

Despite the defeat, Moyale coach Nocholas Mhango hailed the fighting spirit of his charges.

“I am building a new team and we were just unfortunate to concede a late goal, but my boys put up a spirited show,” said Mhango.

At Zomba Community Centre Ground, Red Lions beat Blantyre United 1-0, courtesy of Emmanuel Banda’s strike.

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