FCB Nyasa Big Bullets are now four points clear of the TNM Super League after a commanding 3-0 win against Dedza Dyanmos at Kamuzu Stadium on Saturday in Blantyre.
Bullets now has 43 points from 18 games, following closely is Mighty Wanderers with 39 points and on third there is Silver Strikers with 36 points — both of them have played 17 games.
Chikumbutso Salima was the toast of the day as he opened the scoring in the 21st minute from a Mike Mkwate cross on the right flank.
In the 50th minute, Salima proved to be lethal again as he set up a through ball to Chawanangwa Gumbo who finished with a tap-in inside the penalty box.
17 minutes later, Salima became hit the last nail on the coffin when he dribbled through the right wing and made a shot that was initially seen as a through ball, and it was deflected by Dynamos’ David Habu for an own goal.
Bullets began the match offensively as Mkwate was the first to threaten Dedza’s side but his attempt went wide. Five minutes after the first whistle, Dedza was offensive with set-pieces in the 5th and 14th minute but Bullets’ goalie, Innocent Nyasulu, was composed enough to make fine saves.
After Salima’s first goal, in the 23rd minute he could have assisted to double the lead when his cross reached striker Babatunde Adepoju, but he failed to convert.
Due to the intensity of the match, on the 34th minute Dedza added fresh legs by introducing Habu and Chikondi Mbeta for Frank Chikufenji and Wellington Chimutu.
However, these changes did little to change the away side’s fate because Bullets continued their domination of the match. On the 45th minute, Paul Master, Mike Mkwate, Aaron Chilipa and Babatunde Adepoju played possessive football to find Salima with a cross, but he was not clinical.
When the second half started, Bullets made changes of their own. Frank Willard and Chawanangwa Gumbo were introduced for Mkwate and Khumbo Banda.
Gumbo’s impact was almost instantaneous as he managed to beat Dedza’s goalkeeper, Dennis Phiri on the 53rd. After that Bullets were in complete control and they continued to dictate the tempo of the game.
Bullets faced a setback on the 63rd minute when their midfield asset, Paul Master picked up an injury and he was quickly replaced with Blessings Joseph.
On the 65th minute, Dedza resorted to what seemed as a 5-3-2 formation and made substitutions to make it effective. Gift Mahola and Blessings Phiri were eplaced by Yasin Chida and Ackim Mponda.
Nonetheless, this change of style paid little dividends because two minutes later, Habu conceded an own goal.
In a space of ten minutes after that goal, Bullets introduced striker Maxwell Phodo for Wongani Lungu, and Dedza subbed off Luke Chima for Chifuniro Mpinganjira. Later, Adepoju was taken off for Ephraim Kondowe.
This defeat has made Dedza Dynamos rank 10th from 18 games and they have accumulated 21 points, so far.
Elsewhere in the league, Civil Service United have silenced Kamuzu Barracks by a goal to nil, courtesy of Llyod Mugala’s 89th minute own goal. MAFCO have also defeated high-flying league newbies, Ekhaya FC 2-1.
League action resumes on Sunday as Creck Sporting Club hosts Blue Eagles, Chitipa will face Moyale Barracks and Karonga United will date the league’s anchors, Songwe Border United.
