Bullets finish on top in the first round as Silver finish second

FCB Nyasa Big Bullets have won the first round of the TNM Super League despite not being at their best this season.

The 16-time Champions will not pocket anything from the Super League as the prize money for winning the first half.

The chance of finishing on top of the table in the first round seemed to be distancing away from Bullets following their persistent draws in their previous games but Silver Strikers’ defeats to Mighty Mukuru Wanderers and Civil Service United paved the way for the Champions to steal the lead in the late stages of the first round.

The people’s team have finished with 30 points from 15 games which means they have collected two points from each game.

The competition in the elite league this season proves to be stiff as last season, Kalisto Pasuwa’s men won the first round with a game to spare after beating Kamuzu Barracks 1-0 with only Sable Farming remaining.

FCB Nyasa Big Bullets missed the chance of opening a three-point gap over Silver Strikers who played a goalless draw against Moyale Barracks on the same day as Hassan Kajoke saw his penalty kick saved by Innocent Nyasulu of Mighty Tigers in the first half.

Hoping to collect maximum points, Kalisto Pasuwa made two changes from the team that beat Karonga United as Maxwell Gastin Phodo and Precious Phiri were all relegated to the bench with Gomezgan Chirwa and MacFarlane Mgwira taking their spots.

Despite starting on a high note, Bullets found themselves behind just minutes after Hassan Kajoke missed his penalty kick. Precious Chiudza connected home Precious Chipungu’s free-kick to give the hosts the lead.

Kalisto Pasuwa made a halftime substitution as he hooked off MacFarlane Mgwira for Ephraim Kondowe. The substitute had an instant impact as he leveled the scores just three minutes after the recess after being assisted by Patrick Mwangulu.

Profligacy hurting Bullets

They remain the highest scoring team this season with 28 goals, but they have been wasteful in terms of chances creation.

Lanjesi Nkhoma remains their leading top scorer with 9 goals but he is two goals adrift the scoring chart leader, Clement Nyondo of Dedza Dynamos.

FCB Nyasa Big Bullets created three chances in the opening 10 minutes against Mighty Tigers but they scored none.

Hassan Kajoke could have scored at least two goals in the first half but lucky was not on his side. Lanjesi Nkhoma dribbled Past Tigers’ defenders before releasing Kajoke in the penalty area but the number 9 blazed wide his effort from close-range.

Their dominance and pressure paid off in the 27th minute when Masiya Manda brought Kajoke in the penalty area and the referee didn’t hestate to point to the spot.

Kajoke who has scored two penalties this season missed his first penalty when Innocent Nyasulu guessed the right way to palm the ball away.

Chawanangwa Carzola Gumbo curling effort was blocked by Tigers’ defence while Frank Willard whistled his shot wide from close-range.

Patrick Mwaungulu who assisted Ephraim Kondowe created two chances for Kajoke who was not at his best as he failed to plant home the crosses.

Gift Chicco paid deaf ear to two penalty calls for Bullets as Patrick Mwangulu’s delivery was blocked by Manda’s arm.

However, the Great Kali said the goodness is that his players are able to create chances but he was unhappy with Chicco’s decision to turn down some of their penalty calls.

“If you see those boys have got skills to create chances. They are getting into the scoring areas. It’s very unfortunate maybe where we need to work technique of finishing. I also wonder, there is a rule which says a team must not get two penalties or even more than two. That one I don’t know, maybe we will have to find it out. Yah, we need to work out in order to win these games,” said Pasuwa.

First round performance satisfies Pasuwa

Missing two key players this season, crippled by persistent injuries, Kalisto Pasuwa said he has been satisfied with the performance of the team in the first 15 games.

“Very much satisfied about the performance. Remember, we have been rejuvenating the team every year and finishing with those points, we can’t deny, it’s one of these things that happen in a game of football. We are in a race where we will see at the end of the games [league] how we fared,” he said.

Silver finish second

The Central Bankers were held to a barren draw by Moyale Barracks in Mzuzu on Wednesday afternoon at Mzuzu Stadium.

The result means the Central Bankers have finished second with 29 points, one behind league leaders FCB Nyasa Big Bullets.

Head coach Pieter de Jongh made two changes as Tatenda M’balaka and Charles Thom were all relegated to the bench for Adiel Kaduya and Piliran Mapira.

With the condition of the pitch, two teams struggled to stitch up passes as they all resorted to playing the ball high balls.

Uchizi Vunga nearly stabbed home when his shot rattled the woodwork to keep the scores unchanged.

In a post match interview, De Jongh said his team played a good game but luck was not on their side.

“We had control of the game, we created some chances but luck was not on our side. The team’s mentality and focus was on point. But i will continue to say, personally, as professional football we shouldn’t play at a pitch like this”, said De Jongh.

Silver have won 8 games, drawing 5 and losing two. They have played 7 away games and 8 home games. Four wins on the road and two draws. Losing one.