FCB Nyasa Big Bullets walked away with all three points thanks to Baka City’s first-half own goal in the TNM Super League at Karonga Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
From the onset, it was evident that Bullets was in for another tough outing. The opposition came out fighting for points following their humiliating defeats in their previous fixtures against Mighty Mukuru Wanderers and Bangwe All Stars.
In the end, three vital points went to Kalisto Pasuwa’s charges, who desperately needed a win following their struggle to get points in this campaign, especially when playing away from home.
What happened
Pasuwa made four changes to the side that won 3-2 over Creck Sporting Club on Thursday by handing starts to Collin Mujuru, Kesten Simbi, Lloyd Aaron and Chawanangwa Gumbo for Gomezgani Chirwa, Frank Willard, Precious Sambani and Ernest Petro.
Bullets knew that playing their usual game was difficult due to the dry and bumpy pitch at Karonga Stadium. The only way out was to use secondary balls to force something out of the match.
We were the first to create a goalscoring opportunity in the fourth minute when Babatunde Adepoju released Maxwell Phodo. However, Barthez Nyirongo blocked his weaker effort, and no one in white and red could finish the job from the rebound.
At the other end, Kondwani Mwalweni’s side created a clear chance two minutes later when a cross from the right found Dickson Mwangonde unmarked inside the six-yard box, but the forward’s header went off target.
Chances were few from either side. Bullets created their second chance in the 29th minute through Stanley Billiat, who should have done better, but his attempt went wide.
The clock was ticking against Pasuwa’s men, who struggled to keep possession, build from the back, and move into the offensive zone with pace and precision.
With 38 minutes played on the clock, Philemon Ndlovu had all the time in the world to punish the defending champions. The midfielder was at the receiving end of a brilliant cross from the right side of their attack, but his header went wide.
Bullets’ breakthrough came in the 42nd minute through our first corner kick. Billiat played it inside and found Gumbo, who connected well to force Nelson Sikaona to guide the ball into his net, 0-1.
The goal seemed to have given Bullets the much-needed momentum. Moments later, Billiat produced a thunderous shot outside the penalty area, and the midfielder was denied by the ‘keeper, tipping his effort over the bar. That was all for the half.
After the recess, Pasuwa brought in Clyde Senaji for Blessings Mpokera, while Augustino Msowoya and Tambulani Mwale came in for Ndlovu and Enock Kaonga for the hosts.
The second half was worse than the first, with Bullets having no serious attempt at goal and hardly completing more than three passes, a clear indication of how tough it was for the visitors on the afternoon.
Long balls from the defence to the other side of the field were the order of the day, as there was nothing spectacular from the two teams for the spectators to watch.
The hosts had few chances, but every cross into the Bullets half ended up in the hands of goalkeeper Innocent Nyasulu.
Pasuwa brought in Chikumbutso Salima and Wongani Lungu for Phodo and Gumbo to try to improve his side, which was playing too deep to defend its slender lead.
The Clever Boys had another chance to pull level in the 80th minute, but Edgar Phiri fired wide from the edge of the penalty area.
In the 83rd minute, Mwalweni introduced Lupakisho Mwalukazingo for Mwangonde, and Bullets also made a late substitution, bringing on Ronald Chitiyo for Billiat in the 89th minute.
Despite Baka’s push for an equaliser, The People’s Team stood firm to register their third away victory this season and eight overall wins in the current campaign.
What it means
The win saw Pasuwa’s men moving into fifth position with 33 points from 20 games, while Baka’s days in the league are numbered as they are still bottom of the standings with eight points from 22 games.
What next
Still in the North, Bullets will proceed to Mzuzu, where we will take on Mzuzu City Hammers at Mzuzu Stadium on Wednesday. Then, we will return to Blantyre, where we will host Mafco FC at Kamuzu Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
