Sulumba penalty miss costs Bullets

Muhammad Sulumba missed a penalty as Nyasa Big Bullets were held to a 0-0 draw against Moyale Barracks in the opening game of the 2016 TNM Super League season at Kamuzu Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

Sulumba who signed from Southern Region League side Blantyre United had a Bullets Super League debut to forget for the home side as he missed the penalty and a flurry of other chances.

The former on loan Wanderers player had 3 clear chances to put Big Bullets ahead in the opening minutes of the half but he kept missing the target with his strong headers.

Big Bullets had other better chances in the first half to win the game but Moyale Barracks defenders led by Mtopicho Njerwa defended jealously to deny Bullets from taking the lead.

Moyale Barracks’ biggest chance came in the last minute of the first half when Lloyd Njariwa’s shot was well saved by the former Azam Tigers goalkeeper Ernest Kankhombwe and the first half ended in a 0-0 stalemate.

After the break, the soldiers of Kaning’ina came in as a changed side as they were in search for an opener in the opening minutes of the second half.

One minute into the first half, Moyale Barracks forward Lovemore Mitengo could have put the Kaning’ina soldiers ahead but his brilliant shot was well saved for a corner by the Bullets goalkeeper Kankhobwe.

Big Bullets coach Franco Ndawa brought in Davie Ng’ambi for Fisher Kondowe to stifle Moyale Barracks who were dominating the midfield.

After the one our mark Big Bullets could have taken the lead through Yamikani Fodya who exchanged passes with Dalitso Sailesi but Fodya blasted his shot over the bar of Juma Chikwenga’s goal.

On the 28th minute of the second half, Big Bullets were awarded a penalty by referee Dennis Ngulube after Moyale Barracks defender Blackwell Alisen fouled Big Bullets forward Mussa Manyenje in the box.

Sulumba stepped up to take the penalty but his shot was well saved by the Moyale Barracks goalminder Juma Chikwenga

After the penalty miss, Moyale barracks attacked the Bullets goal and Mitengo again come close to put Moyale barracks in the lead but his shot missed the right hand goal post of Bullets goal with a few inches.

As the game was going towards the end, Big Bullets forward Mussa Manyenje came closer to put Bullets ahead but Chikwenga again came to the rescue of Moyale.

Five minutes before the end of the first half Bullets coach made another change by bringing in Mike Mkwate to replace Dalitso Sailesi.

Both Moyale barracks and Big Bullets had good scoring chances in the dying minutes of the second half but they all failed to put the ball into the back of the net and the game ended in a goalless draw.

After the game, Moyale Barracks assistant coach Charles Kamanga and Big Bullets head coach Franco Ndawa said they were happy with the draw.

In other Super League matches, Mafco fc beat Mzuni fc 1-0 at Chitowe ground whereas Civo and Kamuzu Barracks shared the spoils at the Civo stadium after registering a 2 all draw.