Bus smashed, points dropped, and a day to remember for Peter Mponda as fans demand his firing

…wins for Silver Strikers, Chitipa United in other matches…

FCB Nyasa Big Bullets’ bus was reportedly damaged by their fans after the team drew 3-3 with Karonga United at Kamuzu Stadium on Sunday. 

Having led 3-1, The People’s Team surrendered their advantage, failing to leapfrog Mighty Wanderers, who drew 0-0 with Civil Service United. 

Peter Mponda’s men aimed to capitalise on the momentum from their victories in the Northern and Central Regions.

However, they conceded two goals at a crucial period when everyone else thought the game was over.

What happened…

The game started promisingly for the visitors, who were awarded a free kick in the offensive zone during the fourth minute.

Innocent Nyasulu, however, made an outstanding save, denying them the opportunity to gain an early advantage. 

Subsequently, Bullets skillfully capitalised on a set piece in the sixth minute. 

Peter Banda’s precise delivery into the box enabled Blessings Mpokera to score with a remarkable finish, resulting in a 1-0 lead.

The advantage, nevertheless, was brief as Oscar Kaunda’s men drew level through a Benjamin Mapunda shot that deflected into the goal, past Nyasulu, who had moved forward. 

The hosts then reclaimed their lead in the 16th minute in dazzling fashion. 

Banda initiated a skilful sequence of passes with Paul Master and Mike Mkwate, ultimately leading to the midfielder’s goal, which overcame McLean Mwale, making the score 2-1. 

The hosts had another chance two minutes later when Banda passed the ball to Frank Willard, who unleashed a powerful shot, only to be denied by Mwale’s outstanding save.

At the 22-minute mark, the visiting team faced a setback when Simon Sinto Chipole suffered an injury, prompting his replacement by Zikani Mponda Munthali.

The People’s Team maintained their dominance, nearly doubling their lead in the 23rd minute through Ephraim Kondowe, who was set through by Wongani Lungu, but his shot was straight at Mwale, the visitors’ goalkeeper, who made a commendable save despite the concession. 

To bolster his midfield, Kaunda substituted Lovemore Ngolombe for Dante Nedson, as Master and Lungu held considerable sway.

There was another chance for Bullets in the 41st minute, but Kondowe’s volley went over the crossbar for a goalkick.

As Bullets were dominating, Karonga almost levelled the scoreline when Allen Chihana made a brilliant run into the box, but his shot was tipped over the crossbar by Nyasulu for a corner that almost led to a goal, but the shot was deflected out for another set piece that was well defended by the hosts, and that was all for the half.

After the recess, Mponda brought in Babatunde Adepoju and Yankho Singo for Kondowe and Dominic Musonda.

Kaunda brought in Nuswe Mwalilino and Micheal Mwalilino for Mapunda and Munthali in the 50th minute.

Mwale was at his level best in the 51st minute when he denied Master from scoring from a long range, conceding a corner, which was wasted by the hosts.

It was a half in which Bullets dominated, with Karonga playing too deep as they tried to tame Bullets’ pace.

53 minutes on the clock, Bullets had another chance through a set piece. Banda delivered a very dangerous ball into the box, but none of Mponda’s men were able to capitalise from a defensive relapse from the visitors.

Master came close to scoring in the 57th minute when his header narrowly missed Mwale’s right-hand post by an inch.

Chance after chance, Bullets couldn’t capitalise despite being in full control of the match, with Lungu the latest player to miss a clear goal-scoring opportunity in the 61st minute when he was released by Master only to see his shot miss Mwale’s left-hand side by an inch.

Mponda introduced Maxwell Phodo for Banda in the 62nd minute.

There was a clear chance for Bullets in the 69th minute when Chikumbutso Salima delivered an excellent cross into the box to find Babatunde, who was unmarked. However, he sent his header over the crossbar in unbelievable circumstances.

However, Babatunde couldn’t be denied the spot as he increased the Bullets’ lead from the penalty following a handball incident in the box, 3-1.

But this was a turning point for the visitors, who increased their attacking prowess in the final third.

Chihana pulled one after his shot was deflected into the goal, beating Nyasulu, who had already moved out of his position, 3-2.

Mponda brought in Henry Chiwaya for Lungu in the 81st minute. The match was level in the 85th minute when Mpokera committed a foul closer to the penalty box, and from the resulting free kick, Alfred Chizinga tapped in to level the game at 3-3.

Bullets almost responded with a goal in the 86th minute, but Master’s goal-bound shot hit William Mwalwimba as Mwale was already beaten in the line of duty.

Three minutes were added to the clock, and despite Yamikani Mologeni’s introduction for Willard, the visitors held on to frustrate the hosts who are now winless in their last two home games.

At Rumphi Stadium, a second-half strike from Emmanuel Allan and Zebron Kalima inspired Silver Strikers to a comfortable 2-0 win over struggling Mzuzu City Hammers to keep pace with the top two in the title race.

The win means the defending champions have finished the first round with 30 points, five points behind Wanderers, and just four points behind Bullets in the standings.

As for Hammers, the latest defeat means they are stuck in the bottom three with 8 points from 15 games.

At Chitopa Stadium, a lone strike from Nelson Sikaona inspired Chitipa United to a hard-fought 1-0 win over Blue Eagles to move into the 9th position in the standings.

In front of Malawi leader Lazarus Chakwera, the hosts made sure to collect maximum points to finish the first round on a high note.

As for the visitors, this was their second straight defeat in the league, having lost 3-0 to Kamuzu Barracks last week. They have finished the season in the 7th position with 23 points from 15 games.