Bullets stumble

TNM Super League leaders FCB Nyasa Bullets came from behind to salvage a point against a determined Civil Service United in a match played at Civo Stadium in Lilongwe yesterday.

Despite the draw, Bullets have leapfrogged rivals  Mighty Mukuru Wanderers  to lead with 14 points on better goal aggregate from six matches each. Wanderers won 2-0 against Bangwe All Stars in Blantyre on Saturday.

Capital City giants Silver Strikers lie third with 11 points from six matches after drawing 0-0 against Dedza Dynamos  while Civil Service are fourth from the bottom with six points.

In a match watched by a huge crowd, Civo put Bullets under pressure from the start with menacing attacks which paid dividends when they scored in the 15th minute.

The architect was former Bullets forward Patrick Phiri whose splitting pass found an advancing Binwell Katinji, who beat the offside trap and rounded up goalkeeper Richard  Chimbamba.

Soon after the goal, Bullets pressed for an equaliser, but failed to score before they went for recess.

But the People’s Team equalised a minute after recess through  a Patrick Mwaungulu a long-range shot which screamed past goalkeeper Tione Tembo into the bottom corner.

Referee Alfred Chilinda dismissed Bullets’ penalty claim in the  51st  minute when one of their players was fouled  in the box.

Both teams had opportunities to win the game, but could not utilise the chances created and the game ended 1-1.

In a post-match interview, Bullets coach Kallisto Pasuwa said Civo United gave them a tough match.

“We started slowly,  but picked up later. We faced a good opposition who played well. We were much better in the second half and created chances. We also had two clear penalties which were not given. Match officials must learn to be fair,” he said

Civil Service team manager Gabriel Chirwa bemoaned lost opportunities.

“We had a good game, especially in the first half and had chances to get three points, but we failed to make good use of the opportunities we created. It was an improved performance,” he said in an interview.