Bullets back in control

A scorching afternoon at the Kamuzu Stadium in Blantyre yesteday felt like hell on earth for Kamuzu Barracks (KB), who gave up a 1-2 lead to lose 3-2 to FCB Nyasa Bullets in a thrilling TNM Super League encounter.

After failing to produce a winner in the past two meetings between the two sides in the league, this one just had to have one.

But for Bullets, who have two games in hand, it was not just a routine victory as they once again stretched their lead at the summit of the table to three points adrift of second-placed Mighty Mukuru Wanderers who have 50 points, having played two more games.

With temperatures fluctuating between 35 and 38 degrees Celsius,  referee Mwayi Msungama had to call for numerous water breaks, trying to help cool down the tempo in this pulsating match.

Just like in the previous encounters, the match had few opportunities in the first half, but it was the visitors’ chances that stood out.

The hosts were exposed by Kamuzu Barracks’ simple application of how best to defend by attacking the host from all fronts.

KB used both the wings and the middle of the park and from these numerous attacks Kanjira drew first blood in the 11th minute after he was put through by Ndaona Daisi, beating Bullets goalkeeper Rabson Chiyenda to go into recess with a 1-0 lead.

Kondowe levelled in the 59th minute after he was given all the acres to make a run into the box before beating KB keeper Lehman Nthala.

The odds turned in favour of Bullets two minutes later when Maxwell Gastin Phodo put the hosts in the lead with his first league goal since joining the People’s Team, tapping in a rebound after Nthala saved Nkhoma’s shot.

Yet KB were not yet done as they levelled the scores through Kanjira’s powerful header in the 64th minute.

Another dramatic turn of events was yet to come in the 68th minute as Man-of-the-Match Nkhoma just like in the previous match, came to the rescue of his team with the third and winning goal for Bullets from a Stanley Billiat cross.

Bullets coach Kallisto Pasuwa said they owed the victory to a brilliant second-half after a poor start to the game.

KB’s Ted Kalinda said they were complacent after taking a lead in the first-half and failed to utilise good chances that could have counted.