Kajoke Bags a brace as Bullets defeat Rumphi

Wanderers held by Tigers

The golden Boot holder, Hassan Kajoke scored twice for Bullets as they beat Rumphi United by three goals to one at Rumphi Stadium on Sunday afternoon to open a 90-point gap over Blue Eagles.

Playing at Rumphi, the game was attended by the crowd of football spectators who turned up to cheer their respective teams and a record revenue of K9 million was raked in with both teams pocketing K2 million.

Welcoming their two key players, Chimwemwe Idana and Kesten Simbi who missed the second half of tnm Super League opener against Kamuzu Barracks last week, Bullets started the game on a low notch with the hosts igniting fire every second.

The hosts were the first to draws blood through firmer Silver Strikers forward, Zikani Kasambala who unleashed a beautiful shot past Bullets’ goalminder on duty, Clever Mkungula to give the hosts the lead just within the first minute from the kick off.

Wellington Mkandawire spotted the pacy aalttacker unmarked and the striker made his tricks to beat Bullets defence, eventually giving the home fans a false hope.

The early goal gave them the hope that they might have written the history of becoming the first team to beat Bullets this campaign as they were able to break the People’s defence through the lines.

Edward Mkandawire, Foster Kanyenda, Wellington Mkandawire all shined within that frame time. Foster Kanyenda played through his striker, Trouble Kajani but the 19 year old was sleeping in his slumber as Hadji Wali made an interception in the 13th minute.

Knowing that dropping points would he a disaster for them as it would put then under pressure, Bullets waked up from their slumber and started attacking in numbers as Chimwemwe Idana, Henry Kabitchi, Patrick Mwaungulu started dominating the midfield.

Their toil paid in the 18th minute as Hassan Kajoke tapped in Babatunde Adepoju’s blocked ball to level the matters at Rumphi.

The goal fueled Bullets as they started closing down the Leopards of Chikulamayembe in their own half hence winning more possession in their half.

Bullets clever full back, Gomezgani Chirwa launched an attack from the right flank before sending in a brilliant cross that found his target man, Babatunde Adepoju who made no mistake by beating Rumphi’s goalkeeper, Anthony Singini before slotting it into the net to stole the parity for the Palestines in the 25th minute.

Hassan Kajoke finished off the score line in the 28th minute as he capitalised the mistake that was made by the Rumphi’s defender, Brian Mhone to make it 3-1 for the visitors.

In the second half, both teams missed chances hence failing to add goals on the score sheet.

Elias Chirambo sensed danger in the 55th minute as he pulled out misfiring forward, Trouble Kajani for Waliko Chaula.

Kalisto Pasuwa made his first change as Lanjesi Nkhoma was replaced by Yamikani Fodya who was deployed as the defensive midfielder, providing cover for his defenders.

Bullets had to revert to its usual formation of 4-3-3 from 4-4-2 that they started with. Patrick Mwaungulu was shifted from the No 10 to the right attacker with Idana taking over his duty.

In a desperate bid for goals, the hosts made another change soon after the half-hour mark when Alick Harawa replaced Mkandawire to try to add some fire power.

Knowing that they will return into action two days later as they will be playing against Ekwendeni Hammers, Bullets introduced Precious Phiri and McFarren Mgwira for Gomezgani Chirwa and Hassan Kajoke.

Alick Lungu and Billiati were introduced later for Patrick Mwaungulu and Precious Sambani as they were trying to rest some players, ready for their next showdown.

After a slow start in the 2022 season, Hassan Kajoke was given the chance to impress in North and he received it with both hands as he sparked jubilant scenes in the red end of the ground where Bullets fans in North were cheering from.

Pasuwa had to change his formation from 4-3-3 to 4-4-2 to accommodate the golden Boot holder who was promoted from Reserve in 2018.

After scoring two goals in the first half, he almost grabbed his hat-trick when he latched on to Idana’s perfectly weighted through ball only to strike his shot wide.

Lajoke now has five goals to his name this season.

The victory takes Bullets to 9 points above Blue Eagles and the gap may go up to 12 points on Wednesday should the Champions beat Ekwendeni Hammers at Mzuzu Stadium

The young striker Trouble Kajani was given the role to lead the game in the attacking area alongside former Silver Strikers’ attacker Kasambala but he failed to impress as he drew a blank.

After Kasambala’s early opener, the 19 year old forward was played through by his midfielder, Wellington Mkandawire in the 13th minute but he was not clinical enough as he failed to extend the lead for the hosts.

Kajani who has seven goals to his name this season, had an another glorious opportunity to score for his team in the 50th minute when he was found unmarked in the penalty box but his goal-bound shot was well blocked by Simbi and that was his last action as he was replaced by Waliko Chaula moments later.

His impressive first round performance earned him a national tram call up but he failed to make it the last squad during the African Cup of Nations qualifiers against Ethiopia and Guinea.

Rumphi United remain slumped at the bottom of the 16-team Top-flight League’s table with 10 points from 17 games.

Coach for Bullets, Kalisto Pasuwa was happy with the performance and three points in North.

Pasuwa said, “It was a tough game. We are coming from a draw game and I think coming from behind to score three goals it was grateful for the boys. We tried to build up from the back but the condition of getting patch affected our play.”

Nyasa Big Bullets have come from behind in their last three games and Kalisto Pasuwa admitted that he and his team, need to rectify that problem going forward.

Rumphi United Coach, Elias Chirambo said despite the results, his boys performed very well.

“We played very well only that Bullets are a good side and I hope we will be able to win some games that are coming ahead. We will survive in Super League,” said Chirambo.

Elsewhere, at Kamuzu Stadium, Eddington Ng’onamo and Joseph Kamwendo’s era ended with a goalless draw as they were held by Mighty Tigers.

Chiukepo Msowoya squandered the big chance of the game as missed from the 12-yard.

The draw leaves Nomads on third position with 32 points from 17 games while Tigers remain 13th with 16 points from the same number of games.

The next assignment for Nomads is a trip to Dedza where they will play against Dedza Dynamos and the newly appointed coach, Alex Ngwira will be the in-charge of the game.

Actions in Super League continue on Wednesday as Bullets take on Ekwendeni Hammers at Mzuzu, Tigers will host Sable Farming at Mpira Stadium, Kamuzu Barracks welcoming Civil Service United at a venue yet to be announced by Super League of Malawi and  Red Lions, fresh from their Cup defeat, welcome TN Stars at Balaka.