BLANTYRE-(MaraviPost)-Just when their unbeaten start to the FDH Premiership campaign appeared destined to come crashing down, FCB Nyasa Big Bullets dug deep into their reserves of character and snatched a dramatic stoppage time equaliser to earn a 1-1 draw against Moyale Barracks at Mwanza Stadium on Sunday.
For more than 90 minutes, Moyale Barracks looked set to pull off one of the biggest results of the season after a disciplined performance had frustrated the defending champions and silenced the home supporters.
The Mzuzu based soldiers drew first blood in the 56th minute through defender Lucky Mkandawire, whose towering header from Brown Magaga’s well-delivered corner left goalkeeper Nyasulu with no chance.
The goal stunned the hosts and injected belief into a Moyale side that had travelled to Blantyre with ambitions of collecting maximum points rather than settling for a draw.
As Bullets pushed forward in search of an equaliser, Moyale remained organised at the back, denying the hosts clear cut opportunities and forcing them into rushed decisions in the final third.
Despite enjoying long spells of possession, Bullets struggled to break down a resilient Moyale defence that appeared destined to secure a famous victory.
When the fourth official signalled eight minutes of added time, many inside Mwanza Stadium sensed there was still one final twist left in the contest.
That moment arrived in the fifth minute of stoppage time.
Ephraim Kondowe burst down the left flank and delivered a dangerous cross into the six-yard box.
Moyale goalkeeper Simfukwe came off his line attempting to claim the ball but spilled it under pressure.
The loose ball kindly fell to George Chaomba, who kept his composure before tapping into an empty net to spark wild celebrations among the home supporters.
The late strike rescued a valuable point for Bullets and preserved their unbeaten start to the campaign after six matches.
The result leaves Bullets sixth on the table with 10 points, while Moyale Barracks move to ninth position with eight points after another encouraging performance against one of the league’s biggest sides.
After the match, Bullets interim coach Heston Munthali admitted his team paid the price for failing to convert several chances but remained optimistic about future performances.
“We created opportunities but did not utilise them well. It is something we need to improve on and I believe we will do better in the coming games,” said Munthali.
Moyale Barracks coach Pritchard Mwansa, meanwhile, expressed mixed emotions after watching victory slip away in the dying moments.
“I did not come to Blantyre looking for just a point. We wanted all three points. Unfortunately, we made mistakes towards the end, and we will go back to training and correct them,” said Mwansa.
While the result extended Bullets’ unbeaten streak, the afternoon ultimately belonged to Moyale Barracks whose courageous display showed they have the quality to trouble any side in the league.
Yet in football, concentration until the final whistle often separates victory from disappointment and on this occasion, a single lapse denied the soldiers a memorable triumph.
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