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BB, Nomads in contrasting bonanza start

Local rivals Nyasa Big Bullets and Be Forward Wanderers on Friday had a contrasting start to the international bonanza at Kamuzu Stadium in Blantyre. The People’s Team lost 1-2 to Mozambican side Ferroviarrio de Nampula while the Nomads won 1-0 against Zimbabwe’s Chicken Inn.

 Two second half goals from Belito Antonio and Rui Milambo propelled Nampula to the top of the four-team log-table and confined Bullets to the bottom.

Nomads celebrate their victory

Yamikani Fodya scored Bullets consolation from a spot–kick after Collins Nkhulambe was fouled in the box in the 90th minute.

Wanderers banked on a lone strike by winger Mike Kaziputa to go second on the log on goal difference.

 “Nampula were a better side than us but we will do better in our next match. But, mind you, our main focus is on assessing our players ahead of the new season,” said Bullets coach Calisto Pasuwa.

 Nampula director Mathews Tchakatchaka said they are happy to have won despite arriving late on Thursday for the match.

 This afternoon, Bullets need to beat Chicken Inn at 3pm today to put a smile back on the faces of their supporters while a Wanderers win against Nampula in a match kicking off at 12:30 will increase their chances of winning the bonanza.

In the first match on Friday, Kaziputa was Wanderers’ hero through his fantastic goal just a minute into the second half.

His cross from the left flank hit the side bar before ricocheting into the net, leaving Chicken Inn goalkeeper Donovan Bernard rooted to the ground. 

The Nomads mostly featured new faces and fringe players in the first half which had their captain Alfred Manyozo Jnr, Kaziputa, Bongani Kaipa and Francis Mlimbika as the notable regulars in their lineup.

New signing Adepoju Babatunde was their main target man with most ball supplies directed at him on the attack but he gave the team false hopes.

No wonder Bullets supporters mocked him whenever he got hold of the ball, probably, considering that he cost Wanderers K7 million to prise him from Masters Security FC.

 Nomads team manager Steve Madeira said they are happy with their good start and are looking forward to another challenge this afternoon.

 Chicken Inn head coach Joey Antipas said they are not worried with their loss as the first match was all about trying different combinations and studying their opponents.

As for Bullets, they were a bit cautious against Nampula as they had at least seven of their regulars.  The likes of goalkeeper Ernest Kakhobwe, Maneno Nyoni, Miracle Gabeya, Pilirani Zonda, Yamikani Fodya and Bright Munthali pulled the strings for the People’s Team in the first half alongside up-and-coming players Ernest Petro, Telekeleni Joseph, Ben Manyozo, Luke Chima and returnee Dalitso Sailesi.

 However, Bullets created only two scoring chances in the segment through Munthali, who on both occasions gifted the ball to Nampula’s goalkeeper Xavito Nhantunbo. n

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