Bullets too close, as Eagles lost position

By Antony Isaiah Jr:…..

Nyasa Big Bullets Football Club are edging closer to securing their fourth League title in four years after coming from behind to beat Sable Farming at Kamuzu Stadium on Wednesday afternoon.

Former Silver Strikers forward Michael Teteh put the Chiradzulu-based farmers in front before Babatunde Adepoju pillaging four goals with Thompson Magombo netted his first goal for the senior team.

Elsewhere, Kamuzu Barracks beat Blue Eagles by a goal to nill courtesy of Olson’s strike in the second half to render the Cops their third defeat of the season.

The win for Nyasa Big Bullets and a loss for Eagles see the people’s team opening a 10-point gap over Kamuzu Barracks and 11-point gap over Blue Eagles with 5 games to go.

Kalisto Pasuwa’s boys are isolated on the top of the 16-member tnm Super League table with 61 points from 25 games while Kamuzu Baracks have 51 points from 26 games and Blue Eagles come third with 50 points from 25 games.

This means that from their remaining 5 games, Nyasa Big Bullets need to amass at least 5 points to be crowned as the Champions of the 2022 tnm Super League.

BULLETS BACK TO THE WINNING WAYS

After starving for the victory in 270 minutes, Nyasa Big Bullets have returned to the winning ways with a dazzling performance as they ruthlessly hammered the relegation threatened Sable Farming.

The people’s team had played three games without a win as they were held by Blue Eagles and Civo Service United at home and also seeing their lead twice slipping off their hands against Silver Strikers.

Going into the game without four of his first team players, Chimwemwe Idana, Patrick Mwaungulu, Gomezgani Chirwa, Precious Sambani, Kalisto was forced to make rotations as he handed a start to Thompson Magombo to replace Idana, Blessings Mpokera as the Right back, Erik Kaonga was handed the start as the left back.

Kalisto Pasuwa had urged his boys to be careful with Sable as they are hunting for the points to survive in the league but things went wrong as Michael Teteh gave the Chiradzulu-based farmers the lead in the 19th minute after Bullets’ defence failed to defend the attack launched by Sable Farming.

It was a wake-up call for the people’s team as did not allow Sable Farming to have joy in their faces. Babatunde Adepoju levelled to 1 all 3 minutes later.

Thompson Magombo put Bullets in front after 10 minutes in the second half before Babatunde netted another three later.

SABLE GOT PUNISHED FOR BEING BRUNT (ANALYSIS)

Containing some of the players that played together with some of the Nyasa Big Bullets players, Sable Farming had the belief that they could play with Bullets.

Franklin Mlimanjira, White Kitsen and Innocent Wadada Msowoya are some of the faces in Sable Farming team that were nurtured by Enos Chatama at Bullets.

The energy, pace from the youngsters and the presence of the experience from the veteran players like George Nyirenda, Michael Teteh Semion Singa seemed to level up with Nyasa Big Bullets who featured a team of the same quality.

They enjoyed the possession in the first half with Innocent Msowoya controlling the midfield with the help of Semion Singa but they were lacking the finishing techniques, an area where the coach, Macdonald Mtetemera has been singing for a while.

Having a Lion’s share of proceedings saw them scoring first through Michael Teteh in the 19th minute before seeing their lead slipping off through Babatunde Adepoju’s Powerful header.

Franklin Mlimanjira burst forward from the midfield teeing up Sunganani Jeffery in his company but the full back with Clever Mkungula already beaten, he blazed his shot over the bar to the frustration of the Coach and his teammates.

Dominating the play sees them making Bullets to play under pressure and they had an opportunity from the set-piece. Referee awarded them a free-kick just outside the penalty area after Blessings Mpokera handed the ball but the Rookies hit the wall, failing to capitalise the chance that they had in the game towards the end of the game.

After Bullets had taken a lead through Thompson Magombo, Sable Farming had a chance to level the matter but they could not know the position of Mkungula’s posts. Innocent Msowoya hit the post with a volley before Michael Teteh again hit the woodwork on rebound.

After failing to utilise the chances, Nyasa Big Bullets punished them as three goals were netted in to leave them in search for the points elsewhere if they are to survive in the league.

Sable remain on number 14 with 21 points from 25 games. They have 5 games before wrapping up their season. Missing chances like those that they misfire against Bullets, they have a mountain to climb.

BABATUNDE’S SHOW

The resurgence of Anthony Mfune overshadowed him and he saw Muhammad Sulumba overtaking him on the scoring chart after netting a hat-trick against Rumphi United and a goal against Ekwendeni Hammers.

Going into the game, Anthony Mfune was relegated to the bench and he was being supported by Hassan Kajoke and MacFarren Mgwira from wings.

His power and know-where-to-stand gave him an advantage to pull things level just three minutes after Sable Farming had taken the lead. Erik Kaonga whipped a cross from left flank and the Nigerian jumped high to head it home in the 22nd minute of the game.

Kalisto Pasuwa introduced Anthony Mfune for Hassan Kajoke, Precious Phiri for MacFarren Mgwira and Henry Kabitchi for Thompson Magombo.

The Ndirande stand erupted as Babatunde Adepoju put the game far from Sable Farming in the 76th minute. Sable Farming made the blunder at the back and Mfune won it, unleashed a shot that hit the post and Baba was there just to tap it in.

Babatunde Adepojou smashed the ball home after being tide up by Alick Lungu before his fourth goal of the game as Anthony Mfune spotted him in the penalty area.

This means that the Nigerian forward is back at the driving seat of the scoring chart with 16 goals while Muhammad Sulumba of Mighty Mukuru Wanderers come second with 14 goals.