2024 TNM Super League: Crocodiles hand Bullets second loss, Silver stretches leadWelcome To Wampira

The Crocodiles from Kyungu River and North Rukuru attacked Bullets at Karonga Stadium, severely denting their dreams of winning the 2024 TNM Super League Championship.

The home team came from 1-0 behind to win the match 2-1 before their fans, who fully packed Karonga Stadium. Defending champions Bullets were the first to score through Babatunde Adepoju in the 28th minute, capitalizing on a defensive error to volley the ball over goalkeeper MacLean Mwale into the net. The ball originated from former Civil Service promising midfielder Lloyd Aaron, which caught Karonga United’s defense napping.

As the first half approached its close, Karonga’s Saulos Moyo leveled the score in the 45th plus 2 minutes with a powerful header after Bullets’ defenders failed to judge a ball delivered into the box by Pilirani Thulu.

The visitors started the match on a high note as Babatunde Adepoju, on the receiving end of Chikumbutso Salima’s cross in the 9th minute, skied the first chance over the crossbar.

Crocodiles began pushing in the 20th minute, playing back-to-back corner kicks which goalkeeper Innocent Nyasulu dealt with.

The match heated up in the 24th minute when Blessings Mwalilino’s attempt went wide, missing Nyasulu’s left upright by inches.

Bullets found a corner kick at the end of the first half, poorly taken by Crispin Mapemba, who was later booked for a foul on Elie Kayombo. The first half ended with the two sides tied at 1-1.

The second half started with Bullets tactician Kalisto Pasuwa making a change, bringing on Blessings Mpokera for Yamikani Mologeni.

Oscar Kaunda also substituted Nuswe Mwalilino and Robert Luhanga for Kasto Kayuni and Saulos Moyo, the scorer of their goal, in the 67th minute.

Soon after the changes, Karonga United scored the second goal through Blessings Mwalilino, who beat the offside trap from a Robert Luhanga pass. Bullets’ defenders were again caught off guard by allowing the home team to pounce on the defensive error to make it 2-1.

After the Crocodiles’ second goal, Bullets started pressing to level the score but to no avail. Babatunde was clear on goal in the 75th minute, but his weaker shot was saved by Mwale. Pasuwa made a double change in the 76th minute, bringing on Stanley Biliat and Hassan Kajoke for Maxwell Phodo and Precious Sambani.

Karonga kept pressing, looking organized in their attacking third. Nanison Mbewe’s effort was denied by Innocent Nyasulu with a superb save. Blessings Mwalilino headed the ball wide in the 8th minute, with goalkeeper Nyasulu already beaten. Bullets’ defense was once again torn apart by an aggressive counter-attack from the left flank.

The match ended with Bullets confirmed to have suffered their second loss of the season.

Later, Karonga United forward Saulos Moyo was voted player of the match.

In his reaction, Bullets coach Kalisto Pasuwa said complacency cost them the match. “Yeah, complacency. If you saw how we conceded that first goal, after we got that goal. We were on top of them but then we went to sleep, and they equalized towards the end of the first half. The second half was balanced, and I don’t know about the second goal—I am not the referee, I need to rematch it.”

“We made changes, yes, and you saw our opponents were hitting long balls, which was difficult for us to win. To our supporters, now we are in difficult times. But we will go to the drawing board to restore confidence in our boys,” lamented Kalisto Pasuwa.

Assistant coach for Karonga United, Christopher Chinkwita, said he told the boys to give their all in the game. He added that the win is a morale booster for the players and supporters.

The 2023 quadruple winners, FCB Nyasa Big Bullets, went into today’s game from a 3-0 convincing win over FOMO in Blantyre.

The peoples team is currently on position 5 with 20 points from 14 games, 16 points behind league leaders Silver Strikers which defeated FOMO 1-0 at Silver Stadium.

Bullets are also 5 points behind their city rivals Mighty Mukuru Wanderers, who settled for a barren draw with MAFCO at Chitowe Stadium in Dwangwa.

Mzuzu City Hammers moved to position 3 following their 1-0 victory over relegation-threatened Chitipa United at Mzuzu Stadium. Wongani Lungu scored for the Hammers in the 67th minute