Wizards hold Bullets
Patrick Phiri yesterday rescued Wizards FC from the jaws of defeat when he struck a late equaliser against TNM Super League champions Nyasa Big Bullets at Kamuzu Stadium in Blantyre.
Like a sneak thief, Phiri ghosted in to make it 1-1 in the 88th minute when he took advantage of Bullets’ defensive lapse.
The People’s Team surged ahead in the 38th minute through Chiukepo Msowoya’s simple header in rather bizarre circumstances after Wizards’ goalkeeper Wanipa Gondwe was caught in no man’s land.
The goal came barely two minutes after Chiukepo was thrown into service for Diverson Mlozi.
Following the draw, Wizards are now 12th in the 16-team league with 12 points from 10 games while the Bullets are now 10th with 13 points from eight games.
Wizards departed from their normal folklore of featuring young players and paraded three experienced players, namely Grant Lungu, Jimmy Chikulekule and Cuthbert Sinetre.
Wizards technical director Peter Mponda, a former Bullets and Flames captain, said the result was a true reflection of the match.
“Of course, we equalised late into the game and it came as a timely relief, but we played well in the first half except when we gifted them that goal.
“I was also happy with the performance of our three experienced new players. They appear to be adding value to the team,” he said.
His Bullets counterpart Billy Tewesa said his team had a bad day at work.
“We created several scoring chances, but we failed to utilise them and in the end, we got punished. In fact, we are lucky to get a point, it could have been worse,” he said.
In other matches, Kamuzu Barracks thumped Karonga United 4-1 while Azam Tigers and Mafco played out a one-all draw.
