Thindwa worsens BB gloom
A black day that started with a minute’s silence and dirges ended in further gloom for Big Bullets as they lost 1-0 to Epac at Kamuzu Stadium yesterday.
It was BB’s first TNM Super League defeat at Kamuzu Stadium this season and Epac’s talisman Ishmael Thindwa’s 56th minute bullet was responsible for the misery.
The defeat, the second in 11 league games, could not have come at the worst moment, when Bullets were mourning their departed former midfield dynamo Chikondi Banda.
Bullets players also wore black arm bands. In fact, Banda, who died on Thursday, was the type of a creative player the Bullets’ midfield badly lacked on this sunny afternoon.
The first-half ended with no worthwhile bullets shot on target. And it was all to a lifeless midfield that lacked penetration, rendering their front-line of Heston Munthali, Diverson Mlozi and Gabadinho Mhango ineffective.
For the first time in the league this season, Bullets captain Fischer Kondowe was substituted for Henry Kabichi in the second-half. But by that time Epac, who now have 17 points, had grown in confidence.
Tsanzo Dalio policed the midfield, Jelesi Lufeyo provided the creativity for Epac while fleet-footed Mussa Manyenje proved a thorn in Bullets’ defence.
Bullets, lying sixth with 19 points, provided their characteristic response through five consecutive corner kicks, but Dalitso Sailesi, especially, could simply not find a way past Epac goalkeeper Onani Sengwa.
Bullets coach Eddington Ng’onamo admitted that his charges had an off day yesterday whereas his counterpart Abbas Makawa was the happiest.
“The boys have given me a happy Eid-ul-Fitr celebration. It always feels sweet beating Bullets at Kamuzu Stadium,” said Makawa.
In Lilongwe, the inconsistent season continued for defending champions Silver Strikers who lost 1-0 to Blue Eagles. Phillip Masiye scored against his former side.
The Eagles moved to second on an inferior goal aggregate to leaders Red Lions. Both the Eagles and the Lions had 24 points as of yesterday.
But the cops displaced Kamuzu Barracks, who yesterday drew 1-1 with Azam Tigers to slip to third on 23 points. Kelvin Hang’anda netted for Kamuzu Barracks while Malumbo Gondwe replied for Tigers to climb to fifth on 21 points.
At Mzuzu Stadium, Crispin Fukizi claimed a hat-trick and Gastin Simkonda scored once as Moyale Barracks walloped Mzuzu United 4-0. The Kaning’ina Lions took their tally to 13 points and are on 10th place whereas Mzuzu United remain at the tail end with five points.
