Bullets survive Sable’s scare to end first round unbeaten
The TNM Super League reigning Champions resisted Sable Farming’s scare to wrap up their first round without sniffing a defeat in the 2022 campaign.
Babatunde Adepoju converted from the spot after referee Mayamiko Kanjere pointed to the spot as Nyasa Big Bullets’ loanee Ketsen White who is developing at Chiradzulu based boys seemed to have fouled Ernest Petro in the penalty area. A build-up started from the midfield that involved Chimwemwe Idana, Patrick Mwaungulu, Gomezgan Chirwa and Babatunde led took them into the penalty box where they won it.
The Nigerian forward took the responsibility to celebrate his anniversary at the team in style by giving the people’s team the lead in the 35th minute.
Sable Farming gave Nyasa Big Bullets a good run for their money in both halves as Wadada Msowoya, Ketsen White, Simeon Singa, Franklin Mlimanjira, and Sunganani Godfrey were denying Bullets from shining at the Soccer Meca.
In the second half Bullets upped their game by introducing Blessings Mpokela, Stanley Billiati for Henry Kabitchi and Patrick Mwaungulu respectively in the 64th minute.
They created chances but lack of composure was the mega-problem for them. The scorer, Babatunde Adepoju paved way for Anthony Mfune but nothing changed until 90 minutes.
The win takes Kalisto Pasuwa’s side to 41 points, 11 points above the second-placed, Blue Eagles. They have won 12 games and drawn twice against Blue Eagles and Karonga United on the road.
Kalisto Pasuwa said he predicted that it would be a tough game.
He said, “A very good game like I predicted. We have been separated by a penalty. I told my boys that it was going to be a tough game.
“Sable played very well in the first half, they were keeping the ball and they were matching on all our areas.
“In the second half, they went down and we were dominating only that we missed many chances in front of goals.
“Sable dominated the midfield for a few minutes but we took over it and started counterpressing them. It’s just unlucky that we failed to score many goals.”
On why he took off Mwaghungulu is the second half, he said it’s one way of protecting him.
He said, “Mwaghungulu is still learning and I substitute him when the game is becoming tough on him and reserve him, it’s a mental aspect for him to grow.”
The Zimbabwean mentor said they expect three results when they face any team.
‘We are learning, a defeat can come, a win, lose or draw is part of the game. My boys are still learning and we saw it today. We lose concentration in big games and that’s where we need to work on,” added Pasuwa.
Nyasa Big Bullets opened their journey with a Blantyre Derby against Mighty Mukuru Wanderers and they emerged triumphant.
They also recorded wins in their games against Rumphi United, Moyale Barracks, Silver Strikers, Civo Service United, Mafco, Red Lions, Ekwendeni Hammers, Dedza Dynamos, Mighty Tigers, TN Stars and Sable Farming.
They have scored 28 goals and conceded 6. Blue Eagles, Rumphi United, Mighty Wanderers, Ekwendeni Hammers, Silver Strikers, and Moyale Barracks are the only teams that managed to see the peoples’ team goal and each scored once.
Their Big wins were 5-1 against Mighty Tigers, 4-1 against Rumphi, 3-1 against Silver Strikers and 3-1 against Ekwendeni Hammers.
Babatunde Adepoju is their leading goal poacher with 10 goals that he scored against Sable, Kamuzu Barracks, Blue Eagles, Civo Services United, Mighty Tigers, a brace against Silver Strikers, Moyale Barracks, Ekwendeni Hammers, and Moyale Barracks. He also tops the scoring chart of the tnm super league with 3 goals more than second placed Wanderers forward, Muhammad Sulumba.
Super League debutant, Patrick Mwaghulu is their second goal scorer with 5 goals that he scored against TN Stars, Silver Strikers, Rumphi United and Mighty Tigers.
Chimwemwe Idana has four goals to his name that he scored against Mighty Wanderers, Moyale Barracks, Rumphi United and Dedza Dynamos.
Kesten Simbi is the only player that started all the 15 games and he got substituted only once.
They have played 8 games on the road amassing 20 from a possible 24 representing 83.3% while 7 games have been played at home and they own all of them,(100%).
In history, no team have ever won the first round of the tnm Super League with that feat as in 2014, Moyale Barracks won the first round with 29 points.
In 2015, Nyasa Bug Bullets won the first round with 35 points while in 2016 Blue Eagles won it with 32 points.
In 2017, Mighty Wanderers crowned the champions of the first round with 36 points and Bullets won it with 35 points in 2018.
Mighty Wanderers won the championship of the first round of the 2019 tnm super League with 33 points.
Sable Farming have remained with one game to wrap up their first round.
Mc Donald Nginde Mtetemera said his boys played well only that they lacked composure in front of the goal.
“We started very well, and Bullets were playing away from our goal. We had chances in the first half but we failed to score.
“The good part of the game is that my boys displayed the kind of football that we have been planning. We tried in the second half to equalise but Bullets locked at the back.”
Mtetemera repeated that Sable will survive relegation this season.
“I don’t repeat affidavits but I will repeat this that Sable won’t be relegated. We will survive,” said Mtetemera.
Sable are on 14th with 11 points from 14 games. They will finish their first round with a home match against Mafco.
The second-placed Blue Eagles will finish their first round with an away game against the struggling TN Stars at Kasungu Stadium while Mighty Wanderers who occupy the third place will take on Karonga United.
The central Bankers who are on two games winning streak with finish their first round with an Away game against Mafco FC at Chitowe in Dwangwa.
Rumphi United will face Moyale Barracks at Rumphi stadium.
