FCB Nyasa Big Bullets were held to a dramatic 3-3 draw by Karonga United at Kamuzu Stadium on Sunday afternoon, surrendering a 3-1 lead late in the match and missing the chance to overtake Mighty Wanderers at the top of the TNM Super League table.
Peter Mponda’s side went into the clash aiming to maintain momentum after back-to-back away wins over Mzuzu City Hammers and Mafco FC. But despite controlling much of the contest and looking set for all three points, two late strikes from the visitors forced The People’s Team to settle for a share of the spoils in front of the Maule faithful.
First Half Action
Karonga started brightly, testing Bullets’ defence with a dangerous free kick in the 4th minute — only for Innocent Nyasulu to pull off a spectacular save.
Moments later, Bullets struck first. A Peter Banda set-piece was met by Blessings Mpokera, who finished smartly from close range to make it 1-0 after just six minutes.
The lead was short-lived. Five minutes later, Benjamin Mapunda’s deflected effort wrong-footed Nyasulu for 1-1.
Bullets hit back almost instantly. In the 16th minute, Banda combined with Paul Master and Mike Mkwate, whose calm finish restored the advantage at 2-1.
The hosts kept pushing. Willard forced a fine save in the 18th minute, and Kondowe went close twice before half-time, while Nyasulu denied Allen Chihana at the other end.
Second Half
Mponda made a double change at the break, introducing Babatunde Adepoju and Yankho Singo. Bullets remained on the front foot, with Master and Lungu both narrowly missing the target.
Maxwell Phodo came on for Banda in the 62nd minute, and the third goal finally arrived in the 71st. Chikumbutso Salima’s cross struck a Karonga hand in the box, and Babatunde calmly converted the penalty for 3-1.
But the visitors refused to fade. Chihana’s deflected shot made it 3-2 in the 77th minute, before Alfred Chizinga’s free kick levelled the score in the 84th.
Bullets pushed for a winner, with Master’s late shot blocked, but Karonga held on for a point.
What It Means
The draw leaves Bullets second in the TNM Super League table with 34 points — one behind leaders Mighty Wanderers, who also dropped points in a 0-0 draw with Civil Service United.
What’s Next
The focus now shifts to cup competition. The People’s Team travel to the North next weekend to face Chilumba Barracks in the FDH Bank Cup Round of 32.
