Honeymoon over
All good things must come to an end at some point and Mafco FC yesterday ended Nyasa Big Bullets’ 25-match TNM Super League unbeaten run and 30 in all competitions with a 1-0 victory at Dedza Stadium.
Despite the loss, the People’s Team still sits pretty at the summit of the 16-team log table with 61 points from 26 matches, five points ahead of second-placed Blue Eagles who, however, have played a game more.
But with the result, the cops can now believe in cold comfort that they can wrestle the title from the champions’ grasp.
In a match monitored on MBC Tv, the Malawi Defence Force side fought every inch of the way and in the end came out of the trenches bruised, but triumphant.
Zikani Sichinga was the toast of the afternoon for the Salima-based soldiers when he scored the priceless goal in the 40th minute.
The beauty of it lay in the creation. Mafco winger Mphatso Phillips curled the ball into the goal area and on pounced Sichinga, who beat Bullets’ goalkeeper Richard Chimbamba from the near post with just a swing of his leg.
It was all simple, a goal as soft as the cheeks of a newborn baby. No hint of nerves, no panic, job done.
The victory did not come as a surprise, no need for powers of divination as Mafco were dominant for the better part of the game.
Bullets struggled to play their usual pass-and-move game and Mafco were, in most cases, first on the ball.
The contest turned physical in the second half as desperation took its toll.
The People’s Team, who are chasing their fourth title on the trot and 16th overall, engaged an extra gear towards the end, but the soldiers held their nerve.
As time ticked on, the packed stadium oozed anxiety and with five minutes to full time, Bullets had a chance to equalize, but their lanky Nigerian hitman Babatunde Adepoju failed to provide the final flourish with Mafco ‘keeper well beaten.
This time the slogan Bullets ndikumadzulo, didn’t work and after the final whistle, they hang their heads in disappointment.
The way Mafco greeted the final whistle underlined the significance of their victory and they could not be blamed if at all they felt like flying. It was the stuff of footballing fantasy.
Bullets coach Kalisto Pasuwa admitted that his team was exposed.
He said: “A very good game. We have been exposed to one phase of the game, the physical game. They were physical and scored a goal and most of our guys were chickening out.
“But the opposition did their homework very well. It is also a lesson learnt for us and we will go back to the drawing board.
“There is no need to panic, we will do our homework and we will see how best we can recover.”
On his part, Mafco coach Stereo Gondwe said it was payback time after losing the first round encounter to Bullets.
“It was our plan to score early so as to unsettle them. We also planned to pin down Chimwemwe Idana, who is their playmaker and it worked to perfection,” he said.
Mafco are sixth with 46 points from 28 matches.
Elsewhere, Silver Strikers beat Kamuzu Barracks 2-1. Chawanangwa Kaonga and Stein Dave were on target for the Central Bankers while Zeliat Nkhoma scored KB’s consolation goal.
Silver are fifth with 48 points from 29 matches while KB remain third with 51 points from 27 matches.
Moyale Barracks edged relegation-threatened TN Stars 1-0 via Gastin Simkonda’s strike while Karonga United beat Red Lions 3-2.
