Fourteen goals were scored as the FDH Bank Premiership returned following the mid-season break, with FCB Nyasa Big Bullets moving to the top of the table with 33 points from 16 games.
Bullets claimed the top spot after defeating Blue Eagles 2-0 at Mpira Stadium in Blantyre on Sunday.
The first half ended goalless despite Bullets creating several scoring opportunities, with Chawanangwa Gumbo missing a good chance in the 43rd minute after receiving a pass from Wongani Lungu.
Misheck Billiat also tried his luck from distance in the 20th minute, but his effort went wide, while Ephraim Kondowe headed over the bar from a Yamikani Mologeni delivery in the 36th minute.
Blue Eagles also had their chances, with Matias Nyirenda seeing his shot blocked by the Bullets defence in the 22nd minute.
After the break, Bullets continued pressing for a goal, with Clever Kalambo missing an opportunity in the 53rd minute.
The deadlock was finally broken in the 57th minute when Gumbo scored with a powerful shot after being set up by substitute George Chaomba.
Bullets doubled their lead seven minutes later when Kondowe converted a penalty after Blue Eagles defender Farhad Mtcheka handled the ball inside the box.
Kalambo had another chance to extend the lead in the 71st minute after going through on goal, but his effort was too weak to trouble Blue Eagles goalkeeper Masamba.
Gumbo was named man of the match.
The result saw Blue Eagles drop to third position with 31 points from 16 games.
Eagles, who were top of the table before the break, have recorded 10 wins, one draw and five defeats, the highest number of losses among the top four teams.
Coach for Eagles Deklerk Msakakuona said the team remained hopeful of finishing the season on a high note, adding that there was still a long way to go.
“We will go back to the drawing board and prepare for the next 14 games,” Msakakuona said.
Bullets coach Wedson Nyirenda said the team was building towards becoming champions.
“We will make sure to keep our seat up there and it will not be easy because everyone now will be on us,” he said.
Meanwhile, Mighty Wanderers moved into second position with 32 points from 16 games after securing a 1-0 away win over Silver Strikers at Silver Stadium in Lilongwe on Saturday.
Clement Nyondo scored the lone goal against his former team in the 32nd minute after being set up by Isaac Kaliati. Nyondo was booked for removing his shirt while celebrating the goal.
Wanderers started brightly, with Nyondo coming close to scoring in the opening minutes after being set up by Gaddie Chirwa, but his effort went wide.
The Nomads continued to put pressure on the hosts, with Nyondo having a goal ruled out for offside in the 17th minute before finally breaking the deadlock.
Silver Strikers made two substitutions in the 37th minute, introducing Levison Maganizo and Robert Saizi for Lasuli Jali and Yankho Billiat, respectively, as they sought to turn the game around.
However, Wanderers went into the break with a 1-0 advantage.
Silver struggled to break down the Wanderers defence after the restart.
The Central Bankers continued to push forward, with Saizi testing the Wanderers defence from distance, while substitute Austin Yassin helped the hosts create pressure through crosses and set-pieces.
Wanderers, meanwhile, threatened to extend their lead in the 79th minute when Kaliati’s free-kick from outside the box narrowly missed the target.
Gaddie Chirwa was named man of the match.
Wanderers assistant coach MacDonald Mtetemera said the team needed to move on from its recent poor run of form.
“Yeah it has been a very nice game, you know coming from losses in the past four weeks, I mean, it was very painful. What we told the guys, psychologically, we told them to forget about this and concentrate on our game and bury the past and forge ahead,” Mtetemera said.
The defeat left Silver Strikers fourth with 29 points from 16 games.
Interim head coach Patricio Kulemeka said losing at home was disappointing but that the team had identified areas requiring improvement.
“A game is the best teacher. We have picked up a weakness of our team, we have also looked at the strength of our team. So we need to forge ahead, yes we have to forge ahead. Yes we wanted to win because it was a home game. Let us see what comes in the 14 games that come ahead of us,” Kulemeka said.
Chitipa United moved into fifth position on Saturday after beating MAFCO 2-0, courtesy of a brace from Zenga Manda.
The result took Chitipa United to 24 points from seven wins, three draws and six defeats.
Manda opened the scoring in the sixth minute after connecting with a through ball from Friday Osagie before doubling the lead in the 82nd minute.
MAFCO coach Ted Kalinda blamed defensive mistakes for the defeat.
“The first goal was lack of communication between the goalkeeper and the defenders, and the second it is almost the same mistake, a back-pass to the keeper, not knowing the attacker is close to the defender. Silly goals indeed, but it is part of the game,” Kalinda said.
Chitipa United coach Sullivan Kandulu said his side’s tactics had worked despite his players lacking confidence following the international break.
“We knew that if we are maintaining a one goal lead is dangerous. So I told the boys that we need another goal to win this game,” Kandulu said.
MAFCO remain 14th with 13 points from three wins, four draws and nine defeats.
Masters Security are sixth with 22 points after losing 1-0 to 12th-placed Goshen City Dedza Dynamos on Sunday. Marco Chiwaya scored the decisive goal in the 66th minute.
Ekhaya are seventh with 21 points following a 2-0 win over Kamuzu Barracks, courtesy of goals from Allen Chihana and Alick Lungu.
Kamuzu Barracks remain bottom of the table with 12 points. The soldiers have suffered 10 defeats, alongside three wins and three draws.
LUANAR Mitundu and Red Lions occupy eighth and ninth positions, respectively, with 21 points each, separated by goal difference. The two sides played out a 1-1 draw at Dedza Stadium on Saturday.
Civil Service United, who are 11th with 20 points, suffered a 1-0 defeat to 13th-placed Karonga United, who have 17 points.
Creck Sporting Club moved from the bottom of the table to 15th after securing a 2-1 win over Moyale Barracks, who remain 10th with 21 points.
Creck have accumulated 13 points from three wins, four draws and nine defeats.
League action resumes next weekend, with Mighty Wanderers hosting Creck Sporting Club, Bullets travelling to face MAFCO and Silver Strikers taking on Moyale Barracks.
