Draw piles pressure on Red Lions
While FCB Nyasa Bullets hoped for a victory against Red Lions yesterday, the one-all result at Balaka Stadium has piled pressure on the Malawi Defence Force-sponsored side’s relegation battle.
In a match monitored on MBC TV, both teams failed to score in a dreary first half.
However, Bullets, who at kick-off needed seven points in remaining fixtures to secure the TNM Super League, approached the second half highly charged with substitute Hassan Kajoke breathing life into the People’s Team attacking front.
They deservedly got the goal in the 55th minute through enterprising midfielder Patrick Mwaungulu who got to the end of Stanley Billiat’s cross to beat Red Lions goalkeeper Nenani Juwaya.
The goal jerked the mood of sombre Bullets’ fans who burst into life as they hoped for a positive result.
Moments later, Bullets left-back Yamikani Fodya could have doubled the lead, but his well-taken free-kick went agonisingly close over the bar.
The moment that Red Lions hoped for came in the 74th minute when veteran striker Deus Nkutu ghosted in to pounce on a Fred Banda cross to equalise.
The goal instilled a sense of confidence in Red Lions as they matched the People’s Team pound for pound.
Bullets lead the 16-team log table with 56 points from 26 matches while Red Lions, who have a game to wrap up the campaign, are on 15th position with 29 points.
In a post-match interview, Red Lions coach Malumbo Mkandawire attributed the team’s precarious position to a rebuilding exercise.
“We played well because now there’s cohesion in the team. The players have gelled well. It’s a pity that this has come while we are fighting relegation and the fate is no longer in our hands,” he said.
Bullets coach Kallisto Pasuwa blamed the result on the poor condition of the pitch.
“We are in Malawi, most of the grounds that we are playing on are bad. They should have to get used to get the championship,” he said.
In other matches, Kamuzu Barracks beat relegated Extreme FC 1-0 while Ekwendeni Hammers beat Civo 3-2. Civo and Hammers are tied on 33 points, but Civo, who have a superior goal difference, are on position 11.
