Lions picked apart as Bullets go top

By Antony Isaiah Jr……..

Hassan Kajoke scored on his return to the starting Xi on Saturday as FCB Nyasa Big Bullets put three past “aged’ Moyale Barracks to claim the top spot of the 2023 tnm Super League for the first time this season.

Lanjesi Nkhoma, the man of the moment opened the scores after pouncing on Patrick Mwaungulu’s silky pass while Anthony Mfune came off the bench to plunder the third goal in the second-half.

Raphael Phiri brought the game into alive when he planted his header into the roof of the net with 22 minutes left on Mayamiko Kanjere’s stop watch.

The defending Champions have amassed 10 points from the possible 12 with two wins at home, a win and a draw away from home while the Lions of Kaning’ina are returning to the green City, Mzuzu after 9 days and they have slipped from 5th to 7th on the table.

Kamuzu Stadium is a graveyard for Moyale

Nicolas Mhango who was away last season with Prichard Mwansa leading the team returned in the dugout today at Kamuzu Stadium and he threw his trust onto the veterans as Macdonald Harawa was called back into the starting Xi.

Gasten Simkonda who won the Super League golden boot in 2014 after scoring 15 goals together with Deus Nkutu was handed the captaincy armband.

Though Moyale had already shipped two goals within the first 17 minutes, Simkonda showed the grips of brilliance when he saw his free-kick being tipped over the bar by Richard Chimbamba who has established himself as Kalisto Pasuwa’s Mumber one shot-stopper.

Since 2008, Moyale Barracks have been struggling to get a positive result at Kamuzu Stadium against Bullets and the history had to repeat itself on Saturday.

They lost 5-1 in 2020 when Chimwemwe Idana, Azizi Mwakifuna, Mike Mkwate, Nixon Nyasulu and Zicco Mkanda scored for the hosts while Brown Magaga scored the consolation goal for the Lions of Kaning’ina.

In their last four visits to the 62,000 capacity Stadium, Moyale have shipped in 15 goals. They also lost 3-1 last season with Lanjesi Nkhoma pillaging two goals while Lloyd Njaliwa was on target for the visitors.

Boosted by their impressive record at Kamuzu, the hosts were off to the perfect start with Alick Lungu channelling the pressure from the left flank.

As the first-half progressed, the people’s team traded the possession, the deadlock was broken. Cylide Senaji Navade, Ernest Petro, Blessings Mpokera, Patrick Mwaungulu were all involved in the swift build up of the first goal.

Tired pairs of legs of Lovemore Jere, Maneno Nyoni and Topicho Njewa found it hard to stop free attacking Bullets.

Seven minutes on the clock, Nkhoma scored the first goal before providing the assist to Hassan Kajoke 10 minutes later.

Nkhoma becoming the main man

On a good day, Lanjesi Nkhoma would have scored more than two goals. With a goal and two assists, Lanjesi was named the man of the match.

After Bullets netted two goals in a space of 20 minutes, Moyale Barracks grew up and gained the confidence. Nkhoma and Kajoke were giving Moyale tough time.

With Mwaungulu breaking on the right side he already knew where his striker was. Mwaungulu placed the ball for from the defenders and far from the goalkeeper, Nkhoma was quick to pounce on it and give the hosts the lead.

Positioning himself far on the left, Moyale Barracks defenders couldn’t sense his presence behind them. Mwaungulu released him and he had an ample time to spot Kajoke who just placed the ball against the back of the net.

Bullets get satisfied with the goals and Moyale had pressure on the Champions’ chest. Three free-kicks outside the penalty area taken by Zimkonda were denied to hit the back of the net by Chimbamba who later failed to complete the game after picking up the injury.

Trying to force things, Mhango made two changes by bringing in Prince Phiri and George Nyirenda for Henry Misanjo and Lovemore just before the recess.

Lanjesi Nkhoma nearly grabbed the brace but his shot rattled the left post of Macdonald Harawa before Hassan Kajoke paved way for Anthony Mfune after getting injured.

Mfune was on the scoresheet after 5 minutes from his introduction when he was tide up by Lanjesi Nkhoma. Bullets won the ball inside their won half and Nkhoma used his pace to out-run Brown Magaga on the left. He just put the ball into the path of Mfune who used his left-foot to put the ball far from Harawa.