Bullets survive Dedza scare
FCB Nyasa Bullets yesterday survived Dedza Dynamos Salima Sugar scare when they twice came from behind to force a two-all draw in a TNM Super League match at Kamuzu Stadium in Blantyre.
The People’s Team now has 26 points from 13 matches, a point above second-placed Silver Strikers, who have two games in hand while Dedza are 10th with 15 points from 13 matches.
In a match monitored on MBC TV, the champions simply failed to turn up, especially
in the first half in which the visitors dominated possession and passed the ball around with remarkable grace and ease.
Clement Nyondo, who leads the top-flight league’s scorers’ chart, drew first blood for Dedza in the 12th minute to take his tally to 10.
He pounced on a goalkeeping error by Clever Mkungula, who failed to hold on to a harmless ball and the Dedza hitman provided the final flourish from close range, no sweat.
After half-time pep-talk, Bullets appeared more organised in the second half and they equalised through McFarlen Mgwira in the 54th minute to send vocal Dedza fans, into a cathedral-hush silence.
But the strong-willed Salima Sugar-sponsored outfit restored the lead nine minutes later through Limbani Phiri barely a minute after his introduction.
The goal came from a short corner which led to a move of utter beauty that saw Phiri slotting the ball home from close range.
Bullets equalised in the 67th minute through a penalty awarded after Dedza captain Justice Chihoma was adjudged to have handled the ball in the box and up stepped Hassan Kajoke to convert the spot-kick.
Bullets assistant coach Heston Munthali admitted that they were out of sorts.
He said: “It was a very tough game for us. It was one of those bad days.
“Dedza dominated the first half, they were pressing us in our half. We were not keeping the ball and we were losing possession needlessly.”
On his part, Dedza coach Gilbert Chirwa hailed his charges for their fighting spirit.
Said the former Bullets coach: “It is not easy to come here and get a point against Bullets. We played well, but it could have been better.”
In other matches,third-placed Chitipa United continued with their good run as they came from a goal down to edge Mighty Tigers 2-1. Nkhalamu Zga Ku Chitipa now have 23 points from 13 matches.
Zikani Munthali put the Kau-Kau Boys ahead in the 27th minute, but Sitimera Muyira equalised in the 74th minute before Rajab Nyirenda grabbed a late winner.
Civil Service (Civo) United gave away a 2-0 lead against Moyale to draw 2-2
