Big Bullets grab title
It took two first-half goals and second-half notch yesterday for Nyasa Big Bullets to seal the TNM Super League title with two games to spare and relegate Red Lions from the elite league for the first time with a 3-0 beating at Balaka Stadium.
Bullets now have unassailable five-point lead over Be Forward Wanderers, who beat Moyale Barracks 7-2 at Kamuzu Stadium in Blantyre yesterday.
Bullets are at the summit of the 16-team log-table with 67 points from 28 games while Wanderers are second with 62 points from 29 matches. Silver Strikers are third on 56 points from 29 matches.
A brace from Nelson Kangunje and Chiukepo Msowoya’s strike yesterday ensured Lions are out of the Super League for the first time since the league was established in 1986.
The Zomba-based soldiers have joined fellow soldiers, Mafco, and Nchalo United on the chopping list as they have completed their fixtures on 14th place with 33 points.
“It is quite fulfilling to win the title with two games to spare. My charges played fantastic football today,” said Bullets expatriate coach Calisto Pasuwa, who joined the players alongside the club’s chief executive officer Fleetwood Haiya and supporters’ director Stone Mwamadi in celebration.
On the other hand, Lions coach Nelson Chirwa described their relegation as a big setback for the side that has been in the topflight league for over three decades.
“It is sad that we are out of the Super League after all these years. We tried our best to survive but luck was not on our side. We will go back to the drawing board and fight for our return next season,” he said.
Striker Msowoya, who missed a penalty in the CAF Champions League second round against Kenya’s Gor Mahia two weeks ago, turned into a hero.
He converted a spot-kick in the 16th minute before providing an assist for Nelson Kangunje in the 34th minute.
Kangunje added his second in the 78th minute.
Lions defender Benesi Kaisi fouled Kangunje in the box and Msowoya converted it with a powerful strike that sent goalkeeper Duncan Mkandawire the wrong way.
It did not take long before a second-scoring chance landed on Msowoya just outside the box but he unselfishly opted for a diagonal pass to Kangunje, who connected it home with a thunderous strike.
It was a balanced affair in the second half apart fromr Bullets’ third goal that came after Kangunje lurched onto a delicious pass from man-of-the-match Mike Mkwate. n
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