FCB Nyasa Big Bullets Reserves conceded in added time to let slip a one-nil lead and draw 1-1 with Ndirande Stars in a ThumbsUp Southern Region Football League match played at the Kamuzu Stadium on Tuesday afternoon.
Wongani Kaponya thought he had won it for the young Maule when he scored a beauty with nine minutes to play but Dan Nyambose salvaged a point for the hosts in added time.
What happened
We were but a shadow of ourselves in the opening minutes of the tie as Kulua Ngwira’s side dominated the boxes and came near to scoring in the 12th minute when they hit the post with a fierce long-range strike from Antony Phiri.
It was stop-start from thereon as the contest turned into physical with the Stars often committing fouls and getting penalized. Goal-mouth action would be only a few until the halftime-break whistle arrived.
For second-half action, coach Enos Chatama made a double change, introducing Gift Lamowa and Limbani Kutambe for Sladge Sanudi and Zaneel Jussab.
A spark from that change was visible in our youngsters who went close to going in front when Prince Chalera’s effort got cleared off the goal line four minutes after the restart.
A game that largely was locked up then took a sudden turn, opening up for both sides. On the other end, the hosts came knocking as Phiri, for the Stars, and with another ruthless attempt, forced our goalie Austin Chirambo to a fine save in the 77th minute.
Two minutes later the hosts threatened yet again, this time through Nyambose, once in the Bullets youth ranks, with a real go at goal but again Chirambo was alert.
In reply, we pushed up the pitch and won ourselves a freekick which substitute Kutambe executed well to force a flying save from Dingani Nakhaima.
Wanting more, we made another change when Hadji Steven was brought on for Macray Chiwaya. Subsequently, we were ahead with nine minutes left to play before the 90.
Kaponya won a duel near the box and snaked up into it before besting the keeper at the low near post to make it 0-1.
Looking to salvage a point, the hosts then made an extra-time change and at the last gasp got the late equalizer. Edward Thengo had failed to clear the ball near the edge of the box and Nyambose pounced with a merciless strike to make it level.
Quite disappointing for our reserves who in the end had to settle for a 1-1 draw in a game they would feel they should have won.
What it means
The position remains third on the table for Chatama’s boys with now 20 points after 12 games.
Chances of winning the championship are now out of reach with Ekhaya United leading at the top with 28 points having played 12 games as well.
The focus for our youngsters will now be to win the two remaining games and stand themselves a chance to finish second in this campaign.
Chatama post Ndirande Stars
“One of those games where you are disappointed, looking at the end of it. We started with a slow pace, we never played better in the first half. In the second half, we picked up, moving the ball quickly from midfield to attacking areas. We created some chances but we did not convert them.
“We got a beautiful goal towards the end of the game. We thought the game was wrapped and sealed. In the added time we conceded one of those goals which could have been avoided. It was one of those games you were heartbroken at the end of it.”
Looking ahead
Mwanza Stars follow up for our youngsters who will be looking to get back to winning ways in their penultimate match in the last eight of the 2024 ThumbsUp Southern Region League.
