FCB Nyasa Bullets yesterday sweated blood to avoid a third consecutive loss in the 2025 TNM Super League season as they defeated stubborn Mzuzu City Hammers 2-0 at Rumphi Stadium.
Second-half goals from winger Chikumbutso Salima and forward Hassan Kajoke helped the second-placed Bullets to slash Mighty Wanderers’ lead from six to three points.
The score line might deceive those who were not at the stadium that the match was one-sided when actually it was a fifty-50-50 affair.
Nyasulu. | Pledge Jali
After a goalless first-half in which the hosts had an upper hand, the turning point came in the 62nd minute when Bullets goalkeeper Innocent Nyasulu, who was named Player of the Match, saved Samson Tisan’s penalty.
What could have happened if Tisan had converted that spot kick will remain a subject of debate, but Salima’s 76th minute goal changed the complexion of the game.
The winger headed in defender Andrew Jovinala’s cross, beating Hammers goalkeeper Eddie Jamu.
The goal rejuvenated Bullets who piled pressure on Hammers, forcing them to commit blunders at the back, but survived thanks to Jamu’s brilliants reflexes.
The goalkeeper denied Bullets from three consecutive corner kicks in the last five minutes of regulation time.
But Jamu once again conceded the second goal in the 92nd minute when substitute Kajoke got on the end of Salima’s assist after Hammers failed to deal with Peter Banda’s set piece.
The victory means Bullets now have 30 points from 13 games while Wanderers lead with 33 points from the same number of games.
In a post-match interview Bullets coach Peter Mponda said it was a relief to collect maximum points after consecutive losses to Civil Service United and Blue Eagles.
Bullets head to Dwangwa, Nkhotakota to face Malawi Defence Force Salima-based outfit Mafco on Sunday, a day after Wanderers host Chitipa United at Kamuzu Stadium in Blantyre.
Meanwhile, Mzuzu City Hammers remain second bottom on the table with eight points from 13 games.
