Bullets resurrect

Maneno Nyoni scored the only goal of the match to inspire Nyasa Big Bullets to a hard-fought 1-nil victory over Super League defending champions Kamuzu Barracks at the sun-bathed Kalulu Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

The visitors were coming from a 2 nil victory over Mafco last week while Bullets were on bay but won 2-1 at Bingu National Stadium in a friendly match on Thursday during Malawi’s 53^rd Independence Day Celebrations.

Bullets showed early promise as they took up a high tempo in attack, using their wingers to good effect as they won a few fouls in good areas.

KB, however, had the first real chance as Kelvin Hanganda picked out Harvey Nkacha in the box, with the latter misdirecting his header over the cross bar.

Just after 17 minutes into the match, the home team broke the deadlock.

A foul on Chiukepo Msowoya, who was handed his first team start following his arrival from Golden Arrows, left referee Ishmael Chizinga with no choice but to award the hosts a free kick in a very good position.

Dalitso Sailesi stepped up and directed his cross into the box from which Nyoni utilized by heading past defenceless Leman Nthala in goals for the defending league champions, 1-0.

Msowoya and Diverson Mlozi were able to torment KB’s defence but lacked the finishing composure towards the final phase of the encounter.

Hanganda almost levelled the scores before the interval but his effort went agonizingly wide to the disappointment of his coach Billy Phambala who was already up from his seat to celebrate the leveller.

Come second half, Bullets brought in Fischer Kondowe for Bernard Chimaimba as they tried to increase their pace in the wings.

Just minutes into the half, Mlozi missed a sitter.

A low cross drive from Sailesi found him unmarked but he failed to put the ball into the back of the net as Nthala was quick in decision making to make a stunning save.

At the other end, Nkacha and Diouf Simaone combined well to release Sam Gunda whose shot had no impact as Ernest Kakhobwe made an easy save.

Shortly afterwards, Msowoya had a similar chance at the opposite end as Sailesi whipped in a cross but the forward’s header was off target.

Nkacha then beat his marker to find an advancing Hanganda on the edge of the area, but the resultant effort was too tame to really test in form Kakhobwe who was enjoying his game.

With less than 20 minutes to play, Nthala was forced to tip Nelson Kangunje’s rifled left footed effort angled towards the near post out for a corner, before Kamuzu Barracks cleared their lines with the scoreline still 1-nil in favour of the home side.

KB tried their level best to try to snatch something out of the game but Bullets stood firm to collect their first three points in four games to move up to fourth in the standings with 15 points from 9 games.

As for the visitors, the defeat leaves them on position 7 with 11 points from 8 games.

The Super League continues on Sunday in all the three regions of the country.

At Balaka Stadium, there will be a top of the table clash between league leaders Wanderers and third placed Red Lions. The two teams are just separated by a point but the soldiers have played more games than the Blantyre based giants.

At Civo Stadium, Masters Security will be hosted by Silver Strikers while Chitipa United will travel to Nankhaka to play Blue Eagles.

At MDC Stadium, struggling Blantyre United will play host to Kamuzu Barracks, with Azam Tigers welcoming Moyale Barracks at Kalulu Stadium.