FCB Nyasa Big Bullets Reserves put up a dominant performance to defeat Tigers Reserves 4-1 in a Southern Region Football League fixture at the Chiwembe Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
Chrispin Mapemba scored his first premier division hat trick while new striker Zizwa Hanjahanja also found himself on the scoresheet to open his scoring account at Bullets.
With three games to go before the first round comes to an end, the result takes the defending champions back on top in Group B’s standings.
What happened
The reigning champions have for so long been known for sucking out opponents’ lives quite early before they can scream, but on Sunday against Tigers, just like in their recent matches in this new campaign, continued to start games with a tame tempo.
Coach Enos Chatama had fielded a much-changed side as he handed first starts to a trio of our new signings Francis Malikebu, Hanjahanja and Jacob Wilson but this however could not inspire young Maule to a flying start.
Nonetheless, 14 minutes after the start, Mapemba left his marker with his frantic run with the ball down the left byline before cutting inside to unleash a fierce strike past Tigers net-minder Suwedi Chathyola and we were 1-0 to the good.
We could have doubled our lead at the stroke of half an hour when the forward sent a lovely ball into the box but the hosts escaped with a huge let-off as Malikebu failed to make a proper connection and wasted what was a precious chance.
Looking to extend the lead, Chatama made an offensive change by replacing Malikebu, who was having his second appearance since joining the club, with regular Lyton Chinong’one who went on to protect our slender lead until the interval break arrived with the scoreline 0-1.
Five minutes after returning from the break, we were 2-0 up and to get on the scoresheet was Hanjahanja who was getting his first start for the team since signing for us a month ago.
It was a scrappy goal from the new striker as the ball from Chinong’one’s failed connection bounced off him into the net to make it 2-0.
Just when it seemed the hosts could be counted out, they got themselves back into the tie as they pulled one back a few minutes after we had doubled our lead.
Their shirt number 8 Kelvin Mandala had taken advantage of our defensive lapse with a simple tap-in when a low delivery was sent to him down the left.
Nonetheless, a comeback for Tigers wasn’t to be as Mapemba completed his brace with a sublime free-kick to re-establish our healthy two-goal lead in the 72nd minute of the match.
Mapempa wasn’t done yet as he 12 minutes later completed his first-ever hat-trick for the club with a vicious strike which resembled his first on the day as he again cut inside and struck powerfully at the back of the net at first sight of the goal to make it 4-1.
We bossed the ball the way we fancied for the remaining six minutes of the match until the final whistle arrived to confirm our fourth win of the season.
What it means
The result takes the defending champions, who remain unbeaten at this stage of the campaign, back on top of the table and two points clear of Fomo FC, who lost 3-1 away to Mighty Mukuru Wanderers Reserves yesterday.
With four wins and three draws, we are now on 15 points from seven matches.
Mapemba continues to inherit the talismanic role
Ever since the likes of Emmanuel Saviel and Chikumbutso Salima left Chatama’s side, Mapemba is steadily proving to be the little talisman in the team.
He has had several star performances this season and at the end of Sunday’s Premier Division fixture, there was none other than Chrispin Mapemba who could claim the biggest spotlight.
Happening for the first to him in Bullets colours, the winger bagged a hat-trick with spectacular strikes.
Should he maintain his superb output week in, week out, the 18-year-old should be destined to be the next big thing from our reserves.
Chatama’s reaction
“We played better in the first half, creating so many chances but we never converted them. In the second half, we were 2-0 up and due to a lack of concentration, we conceded a goal. We kept a lot of possession and it is good we have collected three points but there is still a long way to go,” commented Chatama.
Next
Following up after Sunday’s win is another away fixture as Chatama boys will take a trip to Mangochi where they will face group strugglers, Mangochi United, who are yet to register a win after playing seven games.
Starting Xl
Austin Chirambo, Andrew Lameck, Happy Mphepo, Raphick Bahati, Mussah Bwanali, Oscar Petro, Francis Malikebu, Macray Chiwaya, Zizwa Hanjahanja, Chrispin Mapemba, Wilson Jacob.
Used Subs
Lyton Chinong’one, Limbani Kutambe, Sladge Sanudi, Gift Lamowa.
