……Bullets 3-2 Creck
By Edwin Mbewe
LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-Malawi’s TNM Super League defending Champions, FCB Nyasa Big Bullets, who have been struggling to collect points in the 2024 season, are seemingly resurrected and back to their winning ways as they snatched a 3-2 hard-fought victory over Creek Sporting Club on Wednesday, 25th September at Kamuzu Stadium.
This was their back-to-back-back win as they were 4-2 victorious against Chitipa United over the weekend at the same venue.
The visitors started on a high note in Wednesday’s clash, but their attackers Muhammad Sulumba and Vincent Nyangulu failed to utilize the chances they created despite scoring two goals, which were chopped off for offside.
Later on, CRECK Sporting Club lost control of the game in the 25th minute as their midfield failed to maintain the rhythm they started with hence giving room to Bullets to dictate and orchestrate attacks.
Maxwell Gasten Phodo opened the scores in the 45th minute after receiving a beautiful ball from Babatunde Adepoju, and before the close of the first half, the lanky Nigerian forward registered his name on the score sheet for the people’s team as he beautifully finished the ball from Ernest Petro.
Soon after this goal, centre referee Mwai Msungama blew the whistle signalling the recess with Bullets leading 2-0.
As it was the case in the first half, the visitors started strongly in the second half and no wonder their efforts paid off as they scored two quick goals through Muhammad Sulumba.
The veteran striker scored the first goal in the 47th minute and two minutes later scored the second for Creck from Hadji Wali and George Chaomba’s assists, respectively, to level the matter.
Bullets kept pressing for the winning goals, and so too were Creck Sporting Club.
However, the hosts scored the winning goal in the 55th minute through Ernest Petro, who connected the ball from Maxwell Gasten Phodo into the net, beating Charles Chisale in goals for Creck Sporting Club.
MacDonald Mtetemera’s side had two goals scored by Muhammad Sulumba ruled out for offside by referee Mwai Msungama. Which led to the sent-off of the team’s goalkeeper trainer, Anderson Ching’amba, after using offensive words in reaction to the decisions.
Later Bullet’s Gomezgani Chirwa was voted player of the match.
The match ended 3-2 in favor of FCB Nyasa Big Bullets, who are now 7th on the ladder with 30 points from 19 games, and they are 18 points a draft league leaders Silver Strikers FC and 11 points against second-placed Mighty Mukuru Wanderers, who have played 20 games each.
Creck Sporting Club is in position 5 now with 31 points from 21 games.
In the post-match interview, Creck Sporting Club head coach McDonald Mtetemera said the result of the game was not the true reflection of what happened on the ground.
“I’m not happy with the result today. We played well, and the officials demoralized my boys. They have contributed almost 80% to this loss, and let me make it clear here that I am very disappointed. Yes, we had problems in this game, and we are going back to training and rectifying those areas”, delighted Mtetemera.
Bullets head coach Kalisto Pasuwa was happy with the win, though he was quick to note that his side is not improving in rectifying mistakes they are making.
” Yes victory again but again we can’t keep clean sheet. We played first half very well and second half we lost concentration and conceded the same type of goals and same minutes. I think we have to do a lot for us to reach where we were last season”, explains the Zimbabwean tactician, Pasuwa.
FCB Nyasa Big Bullets will be heading to the northern region this weekend as they have to fulfill two fixtures against Baka City at Karonga Stadium and Mzuzu City Hammers FC at the Mzuzu stadium on Sunday and Wednesday respectively.
Other midweek results in the TNM Super league, Bangwe All Stars were 3-0 victors over fellow strugglers Baka City at Balaka Stadium, MAFCO defeated Mighty Tigers 2-0 while at Civo Stadium the Soldiers from Kamuzu Barracks defeated Premier Bet Dedza Dynamos FC 2-0.
