FCB Nyasa Big Bullets secured a vital 2-0 win over Mzuzu City Hammers at Rumphi Stadium on Thursday, ending their winless run through a late strike each from Chikumbutso Salima and Hassan Kajoke.
After consecutive losses to Civil Service United and Blue Eagles FC, Peter Mponda’s team required this victory to maintain their pace with league leaders Mighty Wanderers.
With Hammers being one of the bottom three teams in the standings, Peter Mponda’s charges recognised the necessity of exerting extraordinary effort to achieve a desirable outcome.
On a windy day at a dry pitch, Mponda’s men found it difficult to play normal football, especially in the first half when facing strong headwinds.
The hosts enjoyed an advantage, receiving minimal pressure from the visitors.
Bullets’ first opportunity came in the 13th minute when Babatunde Adepoju was fouled by Aubrey Simbi, allowing Frank Willard to step up for the set piece, but his powerful shot hit the wall.
With the winds blowing towards Bullets’ goal, Hammers sought to capitalise and almost scored in the 17th minute when a cross from the left found Samson Olatubson unmarked in the box, and his powerful header forced Innocent Nyasulu to make a crucial save, leading to a well-defended set piece by Willard.
Lameck Gamphani appeared to have given Bullets the lead in the 19th minute with a well-executed run down the right flank, but Eddie Jamu intervened to clear the shot off the line.
The game was tightly contested with limited scoring opportunities, both teams creating only one genuine chance each in the first half hour.
Babatunde set Ephraim Kondowe free on the far right of the attacking area in the 32nd minute.
The forward excelled by beating defender Aubrey Simbi, but his shot from near the goalpost went wide.
Frustrations were escalating for the visitors, desperate for a goal against a resilient side that was more menacing with the ball.
Two minutes shy of halftime, Nyasulu produced another spectacular save, thwarting Samson Olatubson’s effort from close range when the Bullets’ defence failed to clear a cross from the right flank, marking the end of the half.
After recess, Mponda substituted Hassan Kajoke, Maxwell Phodo, and Henry Chiwaya for Babatunde, Gamphani, and Wongani Lungu and Alex Msiska replaced Rashid in the Hammers squad.
In the 53rd minute, Kondowe’s bicycle kick was well-defended by Jamu for a set piece, denying him a scoring opportunity.
Bullets persisted in their pursuit of a goal, and in the 58th minute, Phodo’s flick was judged to have been handled by the hosts in the box.
Referee Waliko Simfukwe instead awarded Hammers a free kick, causing dismay to Mponda’s technical panel.
Olatubosun stepped forward, but Nyasulu expertly saved his spot kick and subsequently denied Mathews Banda’s rebound attempt.
Nyasulu’s exceptional performance boosted Bullets’ morale, instilling a winning mentality in the team.
As the game intensified, Mponda’s men accelerated their efforts, seeking a breakthrough.
Mponda substituted Peter Banda for Willard, and James Gwayi replaced Eric Kaonga for the hosts in the 66th minute. Jamu made notable saves against Kondowe and Paul Master.
Bullets’ persistence paid off when Chikumbutso Salima scored in the 77th minute, capitalising on a free kick played into the box.
In the 80th minute, Calvin Kazombo replaced Olatubson, while Ernest Petro substituted Kondowe for the People’s Team.
The game became a matter of management for Mponda’s men, whereas the hosts pushed for an equaliser, introducing Kennedy Seme for Gerald Ngwira.
Bullets had a chance in the 86th minute when Banda was fouled near the Hammers’ penalty box. The winger took a shot straight at goal but was denied by Jamu’s excellent save, resulting in a corner that Jimmy Msiska defended well.
Jamu made another crucial save in the 90th minute, stopping Banda from scoring with another important save, leading to a corner dealt with by the goalkeeper.
Bullets increased their lead in the second minute of stoppage time, employing a similar strategy that yielded their first goal.
Banda executed a set piece, connecting with Salima on the far right flank, who adeptly headed the ball to Kajoke, enabling him to finalise the scoring play and claim the three essential points.
The win means Bullets have cut Wanderers’ lead to just three points ahead of Sunday’s game against Mafco FC at Champions Stadium.
Mponda’s men have 33 points from 13 games, while the Nomads have 36 points from the same number of games.
As for Hammers, the latest defeat leaves them in the 15th position with eight points from 13 games.
Pic credit: Bullets media
