Bullets fall in Karonga
FCB Nyasa Bullets’ woes in the TNM Super League worsened on Sunday when they suffered a 2-1 defeat at the hands of Karonga United at Karonga Stadium.
Despite the loss, the People’s Team, who have won only one match in their last seven games, remain fifth with 20 points from 14 matches and have won only four this season.
On the other hand, Ingwina ya Karonga have moved a step up to 10th with 18 points from 14 games.
With only one match before they conclude the first round, the latest defeat, which was their second so far, is going to give them plenty of food for thought on their title defence aspirations as well as the 2024/25 CAF Champions League.
The champions raised false hopes when they took the lead in the 28th minute when lanky Nigerian forward Babatunde Adepoju capitalised on a defensive error to fire the ball past Karonga’s helpless goalkeeper Maclean Mwale.
The goal did not demoralise the hosts, who stepped up their game and levelled the scores in the third minute of added time in the first half through Saulos Moyo’s powerful header from a Pilirani Thulu delivery.
Buoyed by the equaliser, Karonga started the second half at full throttle and it came as no surprise when Blessings Mwalilino beat Bullets’ ill-concieved off-side trap to slot the ball home and send the home fans into ectasy.
Bullets coach Kallisto Pasuwa blamed the loss on complacency.
He said: “We settled well when we scored a goal, we were on top of the game, but we went to sleep later on
“To our supporters I can say we are in difficult times, we are not stable, We win, lose and too many draws. The confidence of the boys has gone down and it is our duty to motivate them.”
On his part, Karonga assistant coach Christopher Chinkwita said they played consistently for the entire match.
“When we conceded a goal, we did not give up and fought until we equalised and eventually scored the winner,” he said.
Chinkwita dedicated the victory to their fans for their loyalty to the team.
At Silver Stadium in Lilongwe, leaders Silver Strikers extended their lead at the top of the table after beating a strong-wiled Fomo FC of Mulanje 1-0.
Midfielder Duncan Nyoni scored the lone goal in the 79th minute just when it appeared like the Bankers would be held to a draw.
They now have 36 points from 14 matches, 11 points above second-placed Mighty Mukuru Wanderers who played out a barren draw against Mafco FC at Chitowe Stadium in Dwangwa, Nkhotakota.
Silver coach Peter ‘Mjojo’ Mponda admitted that it was a difficult game.
“Fomo were tactically very good. They knew that they could not match up pound-for-pound and wanted to catch us on the break. They had a good game plan,” he said.
In other games, Mzuzu City Hammers recovered from their 5-0 humiliation at the hands of Silver to beat Chitipa United 1-0 via Wongani Lungu’s 67th minute strike.
