Bullets’ loss dent title hopes

The TNM Super League title race is destined to go to the wire after FCB Nyasa Bullets lost 1-0 to Dedza Dynamos Salima Sugar in Dedza yesterday to let Silver Strikers catch up with them on points ahead of final fixtures.

Mighty Mukuru Wanderers are close in third place with 55 points, a point behind Bullets and Silver after a scoreless draw with Mighty Wakawaka Tigers at Kamuzu Stadium in Blantyre yesterday.

Bullets have two games to wrap up, including a potentially explosive fixture against Silver Strikers. Silver and Wanderers have a game each to wind up the season.

Dedza Dynamos Salima Sugar registered their first victory over Bullets in a temperamental encounter at Dedza Stadium yesterday.

A victory for Bullets would have taken them to within two points of defending the championship going into their last two matches, but Dedza fought hard and deservedly denied the People’s Team the pleasure.

The loss, the second for Bullets this season, should have benefited Mighty Mukuru Wanderers, but they too dropped points against Mighty Wakawaka Tigers as they were held to a goalless draw at Kamuzu Stadium in Blantyre.

Instead, it is Silver Strikers who left it late to beat Kamuzu Barracks 2-1 at Bingu National Stadium to move second after tying with Bullets at 56 points apiece, to keep the title battle open.

However, Bullets top of the log table on goal difference having netted 47 goals and conceded 18 while the Bankers have scored 40 and let in 17.

Wanderers will play against Civil Service United to wrap up their season.

Silver have a trip to Blantyre to face Bullets in the last match of the season on December 31.

But before this encounter Bullets have a trip to Karonga Stadium on November 29 to sort out issues with Karonga United.

Bullets coach Kallisto Pasuwa in a post-match interview admitted that the title battle is far from over and open following the loss to Dedza.

On his part, Silver coach Pieter de Jongh said while they are still in the title race, Bullets have unfair advantage because they have a game in hand.

“I have always said that it is not fair that Bullets have a game in hand,” he said.

But despite having games in hand, Bullets have dropped five points in their last three matches.

Yesterday at Dedza Stadium, the hosts took the lead in the opening minute of the match, giving Bullets no time to settle down.

Striker Clement Nyondo tapped in near the post from a Lameck Gamphani free kick, beating out of sorts Bullets keeper Richard Chimbamba who could only fumble the ball into his own net as he tried to make a save.

At Bingu National Stadium, the hosts got their opener in the 12th minute through Patrick Macheso, who started the move and exchanged  passes to release Atusaye Nyondo whose shot was saved by KB goalkeeper Hastings Katoma Banda, only for Macheso to hit home the rebound.

But KB fought back and levelled though their hit man Olson Kanjira, only for Chimwemwe Idana to restore the Bankers lead in added on time.n