FCB Nyasa Big Bullets returned to winning ways in the TNM Super League with a 4-2 victory over visiting Chitipa United at Kamuzu Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
Coming from a disappointing 1-0 home defeat to Bangwe All Stars on Thursday, a win was a must for Kalisto Pasuwa’s men, meeting a side fighting for survival in the league.
The People’s Team comfortably led 3-0 at the break through Babatunde Adepoju’s brace and Precious Sambani’s volley.
What happened
The defending champions looked bright from the start and immediately got a goal in the second minute.
Lloyd Aaron won the battle in the midfield before setting up Stanley Billiat in the offensive zone. The winger wasted no time by firing at goal only to be denied by the goalkeeper off the line, fortunately, Babatunde was well-placed to pounce from close range, beating Dave Ndili in the line of duty, 1-0.
The intention to get more goals was clear as Bullets kept knocking, the latest being Aaron, whose effort missed the upright with an inch.
At this moment, the visitors were yet to launch any attack, a clear indication of how intense the opening minutes were for them.
We doubled our tally in the 17th minute. Bullets won a free kick outside the penalty area and Sambani cleverly laid the ball to Ernest Petro, who laid it back to the wingback to release a powerful drive that was just too much for Ndili to handle, 2-0.
Sensing danger, Christopher Nyambose made two early changes as he introduced Ken Mlenga and Trouble Kajani for Francis Nyirenda and Godfrey Kuyokwa.
Bullets continued their search for another goal and after 22 minutes the defending champions were 3-nil up.
A cross from Gomezgani Chirwa found Billiat at the far post and the winger headed it back to find Babatunde, who smartly controlled the ball, turned and fired at goal to beat Ndili, who was powerless to stop the ball from hitting the back of the net.
With the half-hour mark played, a brilliant exchange of passes by Aaron, Babatunde, Billiat and Ernest Petro almost resulted in another goal, but, Petro’s volley was diffused by Ndili, who conceded a corner kick which the visitors defended well.
The opening period ended with Bullets comfortably leading 3-0 and the visitors registering no shot on target.
After the recess, Nyambose’s men came out good. They were in control of possession and wasted no time to score in the 46th minute through Lamson Lukali, who opened fire from outside the penalty box to beat Richard Chimbamba to his right-hand side, 3-1.
The hosts looked completely disorganised and under pressure to contain their opponents.
Bullets wanted to respond in the 48th minute through Billiat, but his shot was deflected out of the field of play for a corner kick, which Farhad Mtcheka easily cleared away from danger.
We suffered a massive blow in the 54th minute when Aaron was stretchered off due to an injury. The Malawi international was replaced by Frank Willard, while at the same time, Maxwell Phodo came on for Chikumbutso Salima.
The dimension of the game completely changed as the visitors were now in control, putting Pasuwa’s charges under intense pressure and had they scored another goal, we were assured of a nervous 30 minutes.
With our midfield in disarray, Pasuwa brought in Chawanangwa Gumbo for Petro in the 66th minute to try to regain control of the middle of the park.
Chances were minimal, but Chitipa United kept on dominating the play with their brilliant sense of touches all over the pitch.
Nyambose brought in Stimela Muyira for Jackson Beza.
Bullets eased the pressure in the 81st minute through Phodo’s powerful header from Sambani’s brilliant cross into the box from the left, 4-1.
With five minutes left to play, Muyira pulled another one for the visitors to again reduce the deficit.
Chirwa pressed in the opposition’s half and got injured after he delivered a cross into the box. From there, the visitors launched a counter-attack through Ramadhan Ntafu, who released Muyira to the far left, and the winger made no mistake to slot the ball past Chimbamba into the far post, 4-2.
We nearly restored our three-goal advantage in the final minutes of the last period, but Phodo’s header missed Ndili’s right-hand post with an inch, and after 90 minutes of play, Bullets registered their sixth victory of the season with a 4-2 margin over the relegation-threatened side.
What it means
Sunday’s victory takes Bullets to 9th position in the standings with 27 points from 18 games.
What next
Our next assignment is another home game against Creck Sporting Club in the TNM Super League at Kamuzu Stadium on Wednesday, before the Northern Region trip for two games against Baka City and Mzuzu City Hammers.
