BULLETS BREAK DEDZA AT THEIR BASE
By Nganati Wa Nganati
After 88 minutes struggle to break Dedza Dynamos, Chikumbutso Salima was the hero of the day as his lone 89th minute strike was enough to hand FCB Nyasa Big Bullets all the maximum over 10 man Dedza Dynamos to open up a 3-point gap at the top of the log table.
The people’s team have had bad memories of Dedza Stadium where they were yet to win a league match heading into today’s action.
Head Coach Peter Mponda knew the task that was ahead and as usual made several changes to his squad granting Kenyan defender Clyde Senaji his first start of the season while upfront Dedza homeboy Maxwell Gasten Phodo was given a starting berth over Babatunde Adepoju.
However, that move clearly backfired as Phodo was failing to cope with play and it came as no surprise when he was withdrawn at 22 minutes paving way for Adepoju.
The substitution seemed to have injected a new lease of life in the Bullets team as twice the people’s team came close to scoring but attacker Wongani Lungu could not just do the right thing at the right time.
Dedza had the clear scoring opportunity after 42 minutes but Frank Sanudi’s shot could only hit the upright with goalkeeper Richard Chimbamba already beaten.
0-0 is how the first half would finish.
At the start of the second half both teams made substitutions with Dedza withdrawing Oriafo Friday Osagie and Peter Ademole for Tayani Phiri and Yasin Chida.
As for Bullets striker Hassan Kajoke was brought in for Wongani Lungu who was having a bad day in office.
Sensing danger Coach Mponda brought in defending midfielder Frank Willard for Yankho Singo in a desperate bid to stabilize his midfield while for Dedza coach Andrew Bunya introducing Dan Mponya for Frank Sanudi.
Coach Mponda was clearly not ready to take draw for a result as substitute Hassan Kajoke was withdrawn again for Ephraim Kondowe while defender Andrew Jovinala paved way for midfielder Enerst Petrol in a move that was aimed at increasing the numbers upfront.
That substitution really paid off as with a minute left to play, winger Chikumbutso Salima capitalized on a Babatunde Adepoju ball to put the ball past Dedza goalkeeper Donnex Mwakasinga.
Dedza were later dealt a blow as midfielder Ochaya Okoti was shown the marching orders following a second bookable offence.
0-1 is how it would finish.
That win means Bullets have cemented their top position with 12 points from 4 games 3 ahead of second placed Ekhaya who have also played same number of games.