Bullets hammer Hammers to go top

By Antony Isaiah Jr……

FCB Nyasa Big Bullets showed that they are the Champions by recovering from a shocking 1-0 defeat to Chitipa United with a huge victory against Ekwendeni Hammers at the Soccermeca.

Hassan Kajoke scored his third goal in four games while Lanjesi Nkhoma extended his tally to 8 this season. Anthony Mfune and Patrick Mwaungulu scored a goal each as Gomezgani Chirwa was unfortunate to score an own goal.

The victory lifts the people’s team to the top of the table with 20 points from 9 games, two above Silver Strikers who have played a game less while Ekwendeni Hammers are still fifth with 12 points but they can descend the table should Blue Eagles beat Civil Service United on Sunday.

Nyasa Big Bullets have now scored 15 goals in four matches at home. They smashed Mafco FC 4-0, Red Lions 4-1, Moyale Barracks 3-1 and Hammers were the next culprit to be added on the list.

Gumbo shows his class as Mwaungulu shines yet again

Off the back of a 1-0 defeat in Karonga, Kalisto Pasuwa made a wholesale change as he took out six with six coming in. Richard Chimbamba who had started in the previous seven games was rested with towering Clever Mkungula replacing him.

Kesten Simbi was headed a start over Collins Odhiambo Okumu, Chawanangwa Gumbo had to start against his former team. Gomezgani Chirwa returned to the starting team after missing the previous game due to infection.

A bright start it was for the hosts. As early as three minutes Hassan Kajoke had stabbed in. Frank “Mtchini” Willard lifted the team. He led the attack deep inside his own half, combining with Gumbo who burst forward before releasing Patrick Mwaungulu on the right. The number 29 quick-wittedly and knowing how many beans make five slotted the ball to Kajoke who just tapped it in to give the hosts an early lead.

The runs made by Patrick Mwaungulu, the confidence oozed in penetrating Gumbo saw Bullets nearly extended their lead seven minutes later. Frank Willard uprooted a shot from distance that the goalkeeper, Innocent Kamwambi fumbled before re-catching it.

Again, in amalgamation and coalition, Gumbo and Mwaungulu were in thick of things. Gumbo operating as a deep-lying midfielder fed Mwaungulu in space and the latter spotted Lanjesi Nkhoma but goalkeeper was quick to tame the goal-bound shot.

Mwaungulu had his second assist of the day after a good exchange of passes with Gumbo, Gome played a shot pass to Chawanangwa who was in the penalty area, he protected the ball until Mwaungulu came in to spot Nkhoma with a cut-back for the people’s team to go to the break with a healthy 2-0 advantage.

In the second-half, Patrick Mwaungulu turned from the goal-provider to scorer. With all confidence, Hammers tried to play from the back and Nkhoma robbed Chikumbutso Henderson off the ball and run towards the goal, with the goal gapping, Nkhoma opted to play Mwaungulu through who just tapped it into the back of the net leaving Goalkeeper, Kamwambi with no answers.

Anthony Mfune who replaced Hassan Kajoke cemented the victory for Pasuwa as he scored the fourth goal.

With the changes that Pasuwa made by bringing Mike Mkwate, MacFarlane Mgwira and Anthony Mfune for Ernest Petro, Lanjesi Nkhoma and Hassan Kajoke, they switched their formation. Patrick Mwaungulu came inside to play as a second number 10 together with Mike Mkwate, he made a great impact.

With his unique vision, he placed the ball between the defenders, into the path of Gome who was in movement. Chirwa placed the goalkeeper on the artificial turf before gifting Anthony Mfune a goal.

The combination of Mike Mkwate, Patrick Mwaungulu and Chawanangwa Gumbo proved to be too good for Hammers.

Trimmed Hammers fought hard but the loads were heavier for them

Ekwendeni Hammers missed three regular players due to the loan condition that was placed on them. Mphatso Magaleta who is the leading goal-scorer of the team, Felix Demakude and Kitsen White were sidelined and Elias Chirambo was forced to have only four players on the bench after taking only 17 players to the long journey with them.

After conceding an early goal, the visitors who have a differential coach, Luckson Mwauluka Nyoni found their form and settled. Powered by Blessings Singini and Wongan Lungu from the midfield, the Irons boys threatened the hosts’ defence.

Singin’s lofted pass to Henderson who played a cheeky pass to Sammy Phiri whose shot was saved by Mkungula for a corner that was well defended by ever-commanding Clyde Senaji.

Soon after Ernest Petro missed the scoring opportunity for Bullets, Hammers nearly levelled. A corner from the right frank landed on to the right foot of Chikumbutso Henderson who saw his goal-bound shot being blocked by Senaji.

Soon after conceding a third goal, Chirambo made double permutations as he hooked off Allan Kaunda Jr and Isaiah Nyirenda for Yasin Rashid and Chisomo Banda.

Isaac Msiska’s curling effort rattled the upright before Wongan Lungu put his right-footed effort wide on rebound.

Hammers pulled one back as Gomezgani Chirwa turned into his won net. Ekwendeni launched an attack through Msiska before winning the free-kick meters away from Mkungula’s goal. Singin floated it in and Gome headed it into his own net.

Ekwendeni Hammers have suffered five defeats against Bullets and they will face Bangwe All Stars in their next assignment in Blantyre.