Nyasa Big Bullets Reserves failed to close the gap on ThumbsUp SRFA Premier Division League Group A leaders, Wizards FC, to just one point when the two teams played out to a goalless draw at Kamuzu Stadium on Tuesday afternoon.
Bullets Reserves were missing the services of playmaker Patrick Mwaungulu who was out due to illness.
It was a match of few chances, but the visitors were tactically good as they closed down Enos Chatama side’s supply lines, operated by Emmanuel Saviel and Macray Chiwaya, and talisman Alex Tsamba could not get balls from David Daud and Lyton Chinong’one from the middle of the park.
Bullets were forced to make a change in the 29th minute when Chimwemwe Yasini came on for Chinong’one.
The hosts’ realistic chance came in the 34th minute through Frank Mulimanjala, who had spotted Wizards FC’s goalkeeper Innocent Mbwenye out of his line before releasing a thunderous shot, but the shot stopper was equal to the task as he punched the ball away for a corner.
At the other end, Rahaman John made his first save to deny Wizards captain Daud Meleka from scoring and forced a corner which had no impact as Kesten Simbi cleared the ball away from his box.
At half time, White Kitsen and Frank Willard were introduced for Daudi and Chiwaya as Chatama was becoming desperate for a goal.
But it was Wizards who nearly found the back of the net in the 54th minute through a well taken freekick from Meleka who was denied by John’s fantastic save.
Bullets were denied a goal in the 58th minute following Yasini’s good work from the right to release Tsamba into the far left before slotting the ball past Mbwenye, but the first assistant referee’s flag was already up for an offside call.
Chatama brought in Melvin Suleman for Saviel whilst Chisomo Bonongwe came in for Keston Kasonda for the visitors.
Yasini’s shot from the edge of the box was once again saved by Mbwenye, who was proving to be the stumbling block for Bullets Reserves to find the back of the net.
Bullets kept on pressing in search for a goal, but Wizards FC defended jealously to frustrate them and after 90 minutes of play, 0-0 it ended.
The result means Bullets Reserves are second with 12 points from six games and are three points behind Wizards, who have played the same number of games.
Both teams are remaining with two games before qualifying for the knockout stages.
