By Edwin Mbewe

LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-Substitute Babatunde Adepoju scored with his third touch of the game at 50th minute finishing a Chimwemwe Idana’s cross as Civil goalkeeper Ernest Kakhobwe and defender Damiano Kunje failed to clear the ball from their box.

The goal has helped the defending champions Nyasa Big Bullets FC to go top of the table with 23 points from 9 games played so far dislodging Blue Eagles FC who takes on the in-form Waka-Waka Tigers FC this Sunday at Nankhaka Stadium.

The Tigers are just coming from defeating TN Stars on an away encounter in Kasungu.

Franco Ndawa’s side, Civil Service United paid for their sins for not being aggressive as in the final third, they failed to take some shots on Rabson Chiyenda’s goal.

Bullets searched for early goals in the first half hence pressurized the hosts but Civil defended well until the Centre referee Easther Zimba blew for a recess.

Second half, both teams made several substitutions, Nyasa Big Bullets FC introduced Babatunde Adepoju, Precious Phiri, Macfallen Ngwira, for Henry Kabichi, Hassan Kajoke amongst them while Civil Service United introduced Binwell Katinji, Luke Chima and Arnold Masamba for Patrick Phiri, Moses Banda and Innocent Tanganyika.

However, the changes did not change anything on both camps apart from that only goal by Babatunde Adepoju.

After conceding the goal, CIVO beautifully displayed in the game attacking Bullets now and again but lacked the upfront muscle to do the needful as still they took no shots at goal.

The visitors showed some brilliance in the first half than in the second half.

Towards the end of the game, referee Easther Zimba cautioned the Bullets’ goalie for faking injury and later booked him with the second yellow defining a Red card for delaying tactic when he was assigned to take a free kick.

This did not go well with Bullets FC camp which protested for the decision and this further led to matching orders to Peter Mponda vice Coach for Big Bullets FC. Pasuwa put Ernest Petro at the goal with few minutes to go.

CIVO’s performance seems to be corroding game to game they have played.

So far currently they are on position 9 with 10 points from 9 games. Franco Ndawa, Civil Coach accepted the defeat and acknowledged things aren’t okay for the Servants but hinted that there is a room for improvement.

Peter Mponda hailed his boys for good response from the recess talk, saying in the first half they noted some downfalls which they quickly rectified.

However, Mponda declined to react on how referee Easther Zimba has officiated the game.

At the Silver Stadium Bankers survived from Hammers scare after equally sharing the spoils with Ekwendeni to a 1-all draw.

Ekwendeni were the first to score through Wongani Lungu before Stain Davie pulled up to parity.

The draw means Silver remain at 5th position with 12 points from 8 games.

Iven Mwakapenda scored for Waka-Waka Tigers at the Kasungu Stadium to collect maximum points on their Central Region tour.

Tigers meet Blue Eagles FC at Nankhaka Stadium on Sunday in another thrilling encounter.