Blue Eagles slaughter Bullets

…as Mzuni beats Epac in a relegation battle

They successfully defended the Super League a fort night ago but on Sunday afternoon, Malawi champs Big Bullets were thrown into custody by the fully armed area 30 Cops.

Second half strikes from Gilbert Chirwa, Wister Phiri and John Banda inspired Blue Eagles to an emphatic 3-nil victory over reigning Super League champions Bullets at Nankhaka Stadium.

Bullets technical panel dropped Mussa Manyenje to the bench, choosing to combine Sankhani Mkandawire and Chiukepo Msowoya, with Jafali Chande playing behind the duo, a switch that failed to pay off as the visitors failed to trouble Eagles’s defence.

The hosts opted for John Malidadi and Phiri in absence of suspended Shumaker Kuwali.

Bullets were the first to attack as Jelesi Lufeyo volleyed over the cross bar from a MacPhallen Ngwira’s low cross drive.

Some few minutes later, Chimwemwe Kumkwawa in goals for Bullets was forced into action when he saved a 20 metre drive from Chirwa who was enjoying possession as the visitors midfield failed to withstand pressure.

Bullets were forced to make a double substitution when Dalitso Sailesi and Chikondi Likwemba were stretched off due to injuries. Pilirani Zonda’s effort came off the woodwork as Bullets created two clear cut goal scoring opportunities just before the half hour mark.

Tempers were flying high as officials from both teams accused the officiating personel of incompetence. However, the first half ended goalless. Come second half, Eagles’s team were fitful in attack, a far cry from the silken fluency demonstrated by the hosts as Banda, Phiri and Dan Phiri terrorized Bullets defence like nobody’s business but finding the back of the net proved too difficult.

However, Eagles deservedly took their lead. A long ball from Phiri caught Bullets’s defence napping, allowing Chirwa to head past the advanced Kumkwawa whose decision to leave his area proved decisive, 1-0. Few minutes later, it was 2-nil.

Banda was the architect, releasing Phiri who was able to beat Sankhani Mkandawire before releasing a thunderous shot into the back of the net, 2-0.

Diverson Mlozi was then introduced for the visitors to try and reduce the arrears but it was Eagles who completely sealed the victory with some few minutes to play.

Chirwa’s pass found Banda just outside the penalty box and the former Nkhatabay Police midfielder wasted no time when he released a 28 metre drive into the bottom corner, 3-0.

Bullets had a chance to reduce the arrears through Msowoya whose shot came off the woodwork and after 90 minutes of play, it ended 3-nil in favor of Blue Eagles.

Speaking to the media after the final whistle, Bullets technical director Billy Tewesa conceded defeat but was quick to point fingers at the officiating personell for the defeat.

On his part, Eagles’s coach Declerk Nsakakuona hailed his boys for maulling Bullets with such margin. The result has taken Eagles’s tally to 40 points whilst Bullets is still topping the standings with 57 points from 25 games.

Wister Phiri was named man of the match. At Mzuzu Stadium, Mzuni FC defeated Epac FC in a relegation battle to move closser to the safety with 29 points.

Two points from the remaining 3 games will be enough to see the students surviving the chop.

As for Epac, winning all of their remaining two games will be a must if they are to survive the chop this season.