FCB Nyasa Big Bullets suffered a second defeat in the 2024 TNM Super League after giving away a lead to lose 2-1 to Karonga United at Karonga Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
Fresh from our comfortable 3-0 win over FOMO FC midweek, Kalisto Pasuwa’s men were hoping for another victory after taking the lead in the 28th minute through Babatunde Adepoju, but the hosts fought back to claim their second win over The People’s Team in the last seven meetings.
What happenedÂ
Pasuwa made three changes to the side that won in Blantyre on Wednesday, handing Sean McBrams his first start as Yamikani Mologeni and Yankho Singo also returned to the first XI.
It was a promising start for Lloyd Aaron, who won the midfield battle against Nanison Mbewe in the opening minutes of the tie.
However, Bullets struggled to adapt to the dry pitch and could hardly complete more than five passes, with the majority of action being secondary balls from both teams.
There was no serious attempt at goal from either side in the opening 20 minutes before Babatunde came close after Chikumbutso Salima found him inside the area, but the Nigerian forward blasted his effort over the crossbar.
At the other end, the Karonga won two back-to-back corner-kicks which were well dealt with by goalkeeper Innocent Nyasulu.
With 24 minutes played on the clock, Blessings Mwalilino had an opportunity to punish the visitors when he made his way into the penalty box, fortunately for us, his shot missed Nyasulu’s left-hand post with just an inch.
The defending champions broke the deadlock two minutes before the half-hour mark. Babatunde capitalized on a defensive mix-up from the hosts, volleying past the defenceless McLean Mwale, 0-1.
Pasuwa made the first substitution of the game in the 36th minute when he brought on Chrispin Mapemba for McBrams, who was failing to cope with the condition of the bumpy pitch at Karonga Stadium.
Baba’s goal should have pushed Bullets to do more, but Pasuwa’s men started playing too deep, inviting pressure from the hosts who were pressing from all angles in search of an equalizer, which came inside the stoppages.
A cross from Pilirani Thulu caught our centre-backs napping, and there was no one to challenge for the ball that landed straight at Karonga’s dangerous man, Saulos Moyo, who made no mistake to head past Nyasulu into the bottom left corner, 1-1.
After the recess, Blessings Mpokera replaced Mologeni as Pasuwa made his third substitution. The visitors had two back-to-back corner kicks which were not utilized.
Just over an hour played, Babatunde had a chance to restore our lead, but his attempt swerved past Mwale to the far side of the field where Mapemba was waiting to pounce, however, his cross went straight at Mwale.
Substitute Robert Luhanga, who came in alongside Nuswe Mwalilino for Kasto Kayuni and Moyo, made an immediate impact for the hosts as he set Mwalilino in the penalty area to beat our offside trap and the forward wasted no time to fire past Nyasulu. It was 2-1 after 69 minutes.
Bullets should have levelled three minutes later when Babatunde was clear on sight but he fired straight at Mwale inside the six-yard box.
Pasuwa brought in Stanley Billiat and Hassan Kajoke for Maxwell Phodo and Precious Sambani as he looked to push for an equalizer, but the hosts were all over the place, defending with everything to frustrate the visiting team.
At the other end, Mwalilino was denied by Nyasulu when Bullets’ backline was outnumbered by the high-pressing Karonga, and from the rebound, a freekick was conceded by Luhanga after he fouled Nickson Nyasulu in the area.
In the 85th minute, Mpokera’s cross almost caused havoc in Karonga’s penalty box, but Kajoke couldn’t come out of his comfort zone on time as he allowed Nangie Songa to make a timely clearance.
At this stage, signs of another defeat were visible and the hosts almost buried the game in the 86th minute through Mwalilino, who was spotted in the area by Luhanga, but with Nyasulu already beaten, he fired wide.
Three minutes were added to the clock and Bullets threw everyone upfront, but a goal couldn’t come as the hosts defended with everything to claim all the points.
What it means
This is our second defeat this season after we first suffered 1-0 against league leaders Silver Strikers at Kamuzu Stadium in June.
Sunday’s loss leaves us 16 points behind the Central Bankers, who beat FOMO 1-0 at home on the same afternoon.
Looking forward
Bullets return to Blantyre and will switch focus to the FDH Bank Cup as our rivals Mighty Mukuru Wanderers await in the Round of 16 at Kamuzu Stadium next Sunday.
