TNM Super League leaders, FCB Nyasa Big Bullets, have been stunned at Mzuzu Stadium following a 2-0 defeat to Moyale Barracks, courtesy of Lameck Mithi’s brace before the second half.
Bullets remain top with 59 points from 27 games while their rivals, Mighty Wanderers, sit second with the same number of points but with a game in hand, which they will play on Thursday when they face Karonga United at Kamuzu Stadium in Blantyre. They have a chance to leapfrog their rivals on the standings if they win or manage a draw.
At Mzuzu, Moyale started brightly and put their opponents under pressure, even putting the ball behind the net in the 9th minute but was ruled out for offside.
Then came Mithi with his first goal in the 34th minute as he headed from a Chifundo Makawa’s cross, and 10 minutes later, the pair did the same to lead 2-0 right before the half-time.
As the second half started, Bullets made a triple substitution by taking out Wongani Lungu, Andrew Jovinala and Frank Willard for Paul Master, Yamikani Mologeni and Ephraim Kondowe; all this with the aim of trying to level the scoreline.
Bullets had their first real threat in the 52nd minute as Babatunde Adepoju made a bicycle kick towards the Moyale goal, only for his attempt to be saved by the opposing keeper, Jeremiah Simfukwe. The rebound reached Ephraim Kondowe, whose attempt was also saved by Simfukwe.
Later, Babatunde was subbed off for Sean McBrams.
In the 66th minute, Gastin Phodo for Bullets failed to help his side pull one back as his strike went wide.
Bullets came again barely a minute later, this time through the pair of Chikumbutso Salima and Kondowe. Salima delivered a cross to Kondowe, but his effort was saved by Simfukwe, who flew into the air to make that save.
Moyale nearly extended their lead in the 72nd minute when Nadridk Nyirenda made a threatening attempt, but his effort went just wide. They went on to protect their lead until full-time.
At the end of the match, Mithi for Moyale Barracks was awarded as the man-of-the-match.
Moyale’s coach, Pritchard Mwansa, said his team performed well and worked hard.
“There was no substitution because, you know, we trust every player. Jeremiah (Simfukwe) was on point today and he had a fantastic game, and even the defenders too,” Mwansa said.
This result has catapulted Moyale to 10th with 36 points from 27 games, tying them with Chitipa United, but only separated by goals.
Mwansa said it is his team’s vision to finish the league in the top 8.
“It will not be easy, but we need to work hard,” he said.
Bullets Assistant Coach, Gilbert Chirwa, conceded defeat but expressed disappointment over how his charges squandered numerous chances.
However, Chirwa said the team will keep on fighting for the championship.
“I know for sure we have made things difficult for ourselves, but all the same we will continue encouraging our boys to keep on fighting,” he said.
In Blantyre, at Mpira Stadium, Silver Strikers defeated Ekhaya 1-0, courtesy of Emmanuel Allan’s 6th-minute strike. This means the Central Bankers are three points away from Bullets and Wanderers from 26 games.
For Ekhaya, they have slipped to 7th with 39 points from 27 games.
In Lilongwe, Blue Eagles “arrested” Kamuzu Barracks at Nankhaka Stadium with a 3–1 victory. Webster Nzunda opened the scoring in the 7th minute and Tonic Viyuyu doubled the lead 10 minutes later. Laurent Banda added a third just before half-time. KB pulled one back in the dying minutes through Zeliati Nkhoma, who scored from the penalty spot.
This means Eagles are 5th with 41 points from 27 games while KB are 8th with 38 points and they have one game to wrap up the season.
