Nyasa Big Bullets yesterday held Express FC of Uganda to a 1-1 draw at Cecafa Kagame Interclub Cup Group A encounter at Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
The result means Bullets have to beat Altabala in their last group match to make it to the last four.
However, Bullets assistant coach Peter Mponda is still hopeful that the TNM Super League champions, who are at the tournament as guests, can book a place in the semi-finals.
In a game monitored on Azam TV, just like in the opening match against Young Africans (Yanga), Bullets had to come from behind through veteran Chiukepo Msowoya who equalised after the Ugandan champions took an early lead from a Mutyaba Muzamiru goal.
Bullets made three changes to the squad that drew against Young Africans.
Chiukepo, left-back Yamikani Fodya and goalkeeper Rabson Chiyenda, who started the game against Yanga, were replaced by, left-back Eric Kaonga, holding midfielder Chimango Kayira and Ernest Kakhobwe.
But despite dominating possession, Bullets ended up conceding when Muzamiru got the better of Bullets porous defence and fired past Kakhobwe.
Bullets almost got an equaliser when captain Chimwemwe Idana saw his effort bounce off the post with Express goalkeeper Joel Mutakubwa beaten.
Desperate for a goal, Mponda did not want to waste time to make changes.
He pulled out Ben Manyozo for Paul Kansungwi while Hassan Kajoke came in for winger McFarlen Mgwila.
However, the equaliser did not come as the first half ended in favour of the Kampala-based side.
At half time, Mponda pulled out Bright Munthali for Chiukepo and the substitution paid dividends as the striker cancelled the lead in the 65th minute calmly slotting past Mutakubwa.
The result means Bullets have two points while Express, who beat Altabara of South Sudan, lead the group with four points.
Yanga and Altabala were playing in the group’s other match at press time.
