Almost in the bag

FCB Nyasa Bullets  are within touching distance of a fifth successive TNM Super League title and a record 16th overall following their 0-1 victory over Karonga United at Karonga Stadium yesterday.

Following the win, Bullets now have 59 points, three above second-placed Silver Strikers whom they meet in their last match this Sunday at Kamuzu Stadium in Blantyre.

The People’s Team has a seven-goal difference going into their final fixture and the Central Bankers will need to win by an eight-goal margin to wrest the title from within Bullets’ nose.

It is a task not beyond the realms of possibility as football has at times exhibited every inch of its unpredictability, but certainly a tall order and it will take something special for the Central Bankers to turn it around.

In a match which failed to stir the passions, monitored on MBC TV, wonder kid Patrick Mwaungulu struck the priceless goal for Bullets in the seventh minute.

Ephraim Kondowe floated a well-curled cross and Mwaungulu rose  to head the ball home. It all looked simple, no fuss.

Ingwina ya Karonga nearly drew level 10 minutes later when Pilirani Thulu’s free-kick was headed over the bar by Ellie Kayombo.

In the 31st minute, the hosts came close again when Kayombo’s effort hit the post and from the rebound, Allen Chihana missed in front of a yawning goal with Bullets’ ‘keeper Richard Chimbamba well beaten.

Karonga continued to push for an equaliser and twice Kayombo’s attempts through headers, were thwarted by Bullets defence which stood firm.

Kondowe nearly doubled the visitors’ lead in the 62nd minute, but his chip narrowly missed the target.

Both teams made several substitutions towards the end, but the scoreline remained unchanged.

Referee Newton Nyirenda was forced to stop the match for about 10 minutes in added time following ugly scenes as some alleged Karonga fans threw objects onto the pitch and when action resumed, the match had long lost its rhythm.

In a post-match interview, Bullets coach Kallisto Pasuwa said he would only comment about the title after the last game.

Commenting on the actual match, the Zimbabwean tactician said: “We were talking about the boys being tired due to crammed fixtures and the secret was to attack early when we still had the energy and it worked.

“Ofcourse the opposition started coming back stronger by hitting long balls to their tall strikers, but we defended well.”

Bullets left the stadium under police escort.