TNM Super League: Defending Champions fire rubber bullets on Chiwoko boys

The TNM Super League defending champions FCB Nyasa Big Bullets winless streak continued on Saturday at Civo Stadium in Lilongwe as they fired rubber bullets to be held to a barren draw by Chioko boys of Kamuzu Barracks in a game which they wasted numerous chances.

The fierce battle between the number two on the table Kamuzu Barracks and number five, Bullets was fascinating in the first quarter as both teams displayed passing and supporting type of football while dangerously attacking each other.

The hosts were the first to create a scoring chance after Bullets conceded a free kick in a very dangerous area closer to the 18-yard box through midfielder Llyod Aaron.

Hope Namadzunda unleashed a powerful ball to force Bullets goal stopper Innocent Nyasulu to make his first save for a corner kick which was easily defended three minutes into the game.

Kamuzu Barracks continued pressing for early goals but their efforts did not materialize, Bullets got their first chance through their on fire attacking midfielder Patrick Mwaungulu but his dangerous cross was cleared by Sam Chibvunde for a corner kick.

At about 12th minute into the game, Babatunde Adepoju missed another scoring opportunity for the visitors as he headed wide the ball when Hastings Banda on goal for the soldiers was already beaten in an aerial combat.

Bullets came wave after wave as they also searched for early goals which could quickly settle them into the game.

Precious Phiri hammered a powerful shot that Banda parried out for a second corner but delivered poorly.

As the half progressed, former Karonga United striker Anthony Mfune now with Bullets, won the ball from Sam Chibvunde and released a powerful shot that missed the upright with an inch.

In the 18th minute, Bullets’ Kesten Simbi received a yellow card for a foul on Gregory Nachipo, in the 20 th minute Nickson Nyasulu made a critical clearance denying Zeliat Nkhoma from receiving a delicious cross into the box after Llyod Aaron lost possession of the ball in the defensive area.

The Blantyre giants kept pressing and the soldiers were put under siege but goals were no where to be found as Hastings Banda on goals came to the party making crucial saves.

In the 33rd minute, Mfune failed to finish a simple ball from Lloyd Aaron’s cross.

As the first stanza nearly closed, Kamuzu Barracks missed chances through Gerald Chirwa and Olson Kanjira until Chinoko blew the whistle for a recess.

In the second half both Charles Kamanga and Kalisto Pasuwa brought in fresh legs as they searched for goals, Kamuzu Barracks replaced Gerald Chirwa and Patrick Banda with veteran Kelvin Hanganda and Gift M’bwana whereas Bullets introduced Ernest Petro and Stanley Biliat for Chawanangwa Gumbo and Anthony Mfune.

In the 50th minute Hastings Banda again denied Babatunde Adepoju a chance to score after beautiful exchange of passes between Mwaungulu and Precious Phiri.

In the 52nd minute Adepoju’s shot which headed into the net hit Gerald Chirwa.

At 57th minute Nyasulu’s mistake could have gifted Kamuzu Barracks a goal but Lloyd Aaron made a massive clearance.

Precious Phiri who was found unmarked inside the six-yard box missed in unbelievable situation, he saw his effort over the crossbar.

As the encounter reached to its advanced stage, in the 70th minute Bullets missed another golden chance through Gumbo who was set up by Mwaungulu but the midfielder skied the ball over the crossbar.

Mwaungulu came with another beautiful fight at 80th minute to deliver dangerous ball in the six-yard box and found Biliat whose effort hit the bar before an offside flag was raised.

Soon the battle ended and it was confirmed the duel settled for a goalless draw to the disbelief of the red and white fans who fully parked Civo Stadium.

Kamuzu Barracks’s Samuel Gunda was later voted player of the match.

In his reaction, Bullets’ head Coach Kalisto Pasuwa said, “In most of these games we are playing, we are doing everything to win but failing to push the ball beyond the line as you can see the whole it has been us creating chances but again it ended zero-zero.

“I think I need to keep talking to the boys. We need to go back to our drawing board and talk to the boys”.

His opponent Charles Kamanga said the result was not a true reflection of the game as they played well than Bullets.

“That’s part of the game it wasn’t our day to win, it was a good encounter but I have to congratulate the boys for the job well executed. I told the boys what to do when in possession of the ball and what to do when we lose it”, said Kamanga.

Bullets have now played four games without a win, they were humbled 0-1 at home Kamuzu Stadium courtesy of a Chinsinsi Maonga goal a month ago before travelling to Lilongwe to share 1-1 spoils against rookies Creck Sporting Club. They now dwell on position five with 16 points from 11 games, they have won 3 drawn 7 and lost once.

Kamuzu Barracks are second on the table with 20 points from 11 games, they have managed 5 wins, 5 draws and lost 1 game.