The People’s Team registered 16 attempts, nine of them on target, and struck the woodwork three times during last weekend’s victory over Chitipa United.
FCB Nyasa Big Bullets will look to reproduce that attacking output when we face Karonga United in the FDH Bank Premiership at Karonga Stadium on Sunday.
Blessings Mpokera broke Chitipa’s resistance from the penalty spot in the 80th minute before Clever Kalambo struck two minutes later to complete a 2-0 victory at Mpira Stadium.
The goals rewarded a purposeful display following a sequence in which Bullets had found meaningful opportunities difficult to create.
Assistant coach Heston Munthali believes the performance represented an encouraging step forward as the team prepares for our first trip to the Northern Region this season.
“We had been concerned about not taking our chances in the previous games,” he reflected during this week’s pre-match press conference.
“If you look at the match against Dedza, we did not create enough opportunities to score.”
Bullets saw a clear change against Chitipa, where the volume of chances increased considerably.
“We created a lot of chances and managed to score twice, so there was an improvement. Our aim in the coming match is to continue creating opportunities. We have to remain composed and believe in ourselves.”
The improvement followed three matches in which clear openings had been limited.
Bullets drew 1-1 with Ekhaya FC in the second leg of the Airtel Top 8 quarter-finals before bowing out on penalties, while the league meeting between the two sides ended goalless four days later.
A 1-0 defeat away to Goshen City Dedza Dynamos followed, with The People’s Team unable to create enough opportunities to recover after falling behind.
Against Chitipa, however, Bullets carried a sustained threat. Wongani Lungu rattled the crossbar and drew another save from John Banda, while Kalambo struck the upright before the interval and senior debutant Kondwani Tebulo was denied by the post deep into stoppage time.
Banda made several further interventions as Bullets continued to probe, but the pressure eventually told when Mpokera converted from 12 yards before Kalambo quickly doubled the advantage.
Attention now turns to carrying that attacking intent into a demanding away assignment against a Karonga side that has collected seven of its 12 league points at home.
Sunday also presents Bullets with an opportunity to record successive league victories for the first time since the wins over Masters FC and Creck Sporting Club six weeks ago.
Wedson Nyirenda’s side begin Matchweek 13 fourth in the standings with 23 points, two behind leading pair Silver Strikers and Blue Eagles.
Another victory would maintain the pressure at the top of the table as the first round approaches its closing stages.
Sunday’s encounter kicks off at 14:30.
