Bullets snatch last-gasp win

FCB Nyasa Bullets yesterday reclaimed the top spot in the TNM Super League with an 88th minute winner over  Mighty Wakawaka Tigers at Kamuzu Stadium in Blantyre.

Yamikani Fodya’s 88th minute spot-kick gave Bullets the much-needed maximum points to reclaim the top position from rivals Mighty Mukuru Wanderers who had ascended to the summit after a 2-1 victory over Karonga United at the same venue 24 hours earlier.

Bullets and Wanderers now tie on 40 points apiece, but The People’s Team have a better goal difference.

The defending champions also have two games in hand, having played 19 games while Wanderers have played 21.

Despite the result, Tigers, who have 26 points and are on position 11, gave Bullets a tough time.

Tigers actually had an upper hand, especially in the first half as they enjoyed better ball possession.

Their attack centred on Precious Chipungu, Precious Chiudza, Frank Chikufenji and Chimwemwe Ibrahim.

Ibrahim came close to scoring in the 20th minute, but his long-range effort was saved by Bullets goalkeeper Rabson Chiyenda.

Chiudza’s powerful header in the 35th minute missed the target with just half an inch.

Bullets’ first chance came in the 48th minute when Patrick Mwaungulu’s powerful shot called Tigers goalkeeper Innocent Nyasulu to duty to keep the Kaukau Boys out of danger with a magnificent save.

On the other end, Frank Chikufenji’s volley was also kept out by Chiyenda.

Impressive Tigers goalkeeper Nyasulu was on song again in the 55th minute, this time stopping Frank Willard’s strike.

Bullets’ super-substitute Ephraim Kondowe, who had scored in the past four matches when introduced late into the game to replace Kajoke, could not beat Nyasulu.

Anthony Mfune, who replaced Lanjesi Nkhoma in the 60th minute, also blasted the ball over with just Nyasulu.

Just when Bullets fans were about to give hope, the hosts finally got a respite with just two minutes to play from Fodya’s spot-kick following a handball in the box.

Tigers coach Christopher Nyambose, in a post-match interview,  applauded his charges for a gallant fight.

He said: “I salute my boys. We gave them a very good fight. We played well. We had some chances. We missed chances, especially in the first half. In the second half,  we didn’t go much into the attacking third just because they pinned us. All in all, I can say it was not our day.”

For Bullets, coach Kallisto Pasuwa said it was a big relief to survive the scare.

He said: “A game where we were looking tired.

“The legs are looking tired, but then we need to soldier on.”

In the other league match played at Kasungu Stadium, Kamuzu Barracks narrowly edged Ekwendeni Hammers 1-0 through Olson Kanjira’s fourth minute goal.