Bullets sweat for full points

FCB Nyasa Bullets were yesterday made to sweat blood for maximum points in their TNM Super League 1-0 triumph over resilient Bangwe All Stars at Kamuzu Stadium in Blantyre.

Nothing seemed to be working for the defending champions until the 79th minute when Patrick Mwaungulu broke the deadlock.

Bullets’ victory has seen them narrow the gap with leaders Mighty Mukuru Wanderers by three points.

They now have 43 points and have moved to second position, displacing Chitipa United who have 42 points from 23 matches.

Bullets have played 20 matches while the Nomads, who have 46 points, have played 23.

Straight from their 4-0 humiliation to TP Mazembe of Democratic Republic of Congo in a CAF Champions League second preliminary round, second leg, it was clear that the chips were down for the People’s Team.

No wonder,  they struggled to settle down in this encounter which was a litmus test for the defending champions’ resolve.

Creating clear-cut chances was a challenge for Bullets who showed tell-tale signs of fatigue.

Bangwe were, unfortunately, so naive not to take advantage of the situation as they never showed intent to capitalise on their opponent’s weakness.

It was only after half-time that the rookies realised that they could be missing an opportunity to kill a giant, and started taking the game to the hosts.

But it was a bit too little and too late as Bullets had by this time picked themselves up and were now finding rhythm in their play.

No wonder they got the much-needed break in the 79th minute after a blunder by Bangwe goalkeeper Ellias Missi, who passed the ball straight into the feet of man-of-the-match Mwaungulu for the midfielder to curve it into an empty net.

Bullets coach Kallisto Pasuwa admitted in a post-match interview that it was a hard-fought victory.

He said: “They [Bangwe] gave us a torrid time in the first half, we had time. We were slow in terms of intensity until we made some changes in the second half.

“The problem is that we are playing so many games and fatigue has crept in.”

His Bangwe counterpart Abel Mkandawire attributed the loss to the soft goal they conceded.

“It drained our energy, but I would say the boys tried,” he said.

In other league matches, three Malawi Defence Force sides were the toast of the day after they also collected full points.

 Moyale Barracks edged Civil Service United 1-0 at Rumphi through a Charles Nkhoma goal.

 Mafco beat Ekwendeni Hammers 2-0 at Chitowe Stadium in Dwangwa, Nkhotakota with goals from Bernard Chimaimba and Prince Kachere.

Karonga United gave up a 2-0 lead to lose 3-2 to Red Lions at Karonga Stadium.

The hosts took a lead through Elie Kayombo who went on to complete a brace in the second-half.

But Red Lions pulled one back through Fred Banda in the 85th minute before Deus Nkutu levelled in 87th.

Then Mike Kaziputa sealed the victory for the Zomba-based outfit in added time.