.…..KB 0-2 Bullets
By Edwin Mbewe
LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-Goals from Chikumbutso Salima and Babatunde Adepujo were enough to defeat Kamuzu Barracks on Thursday, 27th November at Civo Stadium in Area 9, Lilongwe.
The visitors showed their intent to secure maximum points from the onset, creating numerous chances in the opening 20 minutes.
Bullets won a free kick outside the penalty box in the 2nd minute. Chrispin Mapemba’s effort struck the wall, and on the rebound, he blazed over the bar.
In the 4th minute, Babatunde Adepujo took a long-range effort that rattled the left post. Ephraim Kondowe reacted to the rebound but rifled his effort wide.
A minute later, Yamikani Mologeni overlapped on the right flank before whipping in a cross to find Kondowe, whose header went wide.
The pressure continued in the 10th minute when Salima set up Wongani Lungu, whose shot was saved by Kamuzu Barracks goalkeeper Charles Chisale for a corner.
Mapemba took another good shot that the goalkeeper fumbled towards his own net, but one of his defenders cleared it before it crossed the line.
The soldiers couldn’t endure the relentless pressure. In the 12th minute, Chikumbutso Salima broke the deadlock after excellent interplay with Chawanangwa Gumbo.
After the goal, Bullets’ Innocent Nyasulu and defender Andrew Jovinala nearly cost their team with a defensive mix-up, but they recovered before Zeliat Nkhoma could capitalize.
Kamuzu Barracks came close to leveling in the 21st minute when John Mchema’s bicycle kick went over the bar.
The visitors also shot over the bar when Wongani Lungu tried his luck from distance in the 25th minute. The home side made their first substitution in the 27th minute as Raphic Bahat was replaced by Smey Chimunkho. Chisale made a crucial save from Mapemba who broke through on the left in the 28th minute.
Kamuzu Barracks had a penalty appeal turned down by referee Godfrey Nkhakananga in the 33rd minute. The home side attacked down the left through Zeliat Nkhoma, who won his battle against Jovinala and went down in the penalty area, but the referee waved play on.
Bullets’ Mologeni whipped in a corner kick to find Babatunde Adepujo, whose header went wide of the post in the 41st minute.
Babatunde Adepujo fired in the second goal just before halftime.
Chikumbutso Salima beat Lloyd Mughala on the right before delivering a stunning cross into the box, and the lanky forward rose highest to meet the pass, ending the first half with Bullets leading 2-0.
At the start of the second half, Bullets made three changes as Hassan Kajoke, Sean McBrams, and Kennedy Musonda replaced Chrispin Mapemba, Ephraim Kondowe, and Aaron Chilipa.
Substitute Sean McBrams accelerated down the right in the 48th minute, beating two markers before putting in a brilliant cross to find Salima, whose header skewed wide.
The soldiers tried to respond through Captain Gregory Nachipo, who attempted an effort through a crowd of legs in the 50th minute, but his powerful shot from his weaker foot couldn’t beat Nyasulu.
Chikumbutso Salima outpaced his marker in the 58th minute before delivering a good ball to the edge of the box, finding Hassan Kajoke whose effort went over the bar.
Kamuzu Barracks made another change in the 74th minute as Zinjani Yona replaced Geoffrey Game. In the 78th minute, Lumbani Mkandawire was booked with a yellow card for a bad foul.
As the match approached its dying minutes, Bullets scored through Hassan Kajoke, but it was ruled out for offside in the 83rd minute.
Coach Mponda substituted Babatunde Adepujo and Chikumbutso Salima for Peter Banda and Bright Munthali in the 88th minute.
Kamuzu Barracks nearly reduced the deficit when Captain Gregory Nachipo whipped in a brilliant corner to find a teammate, whose header was brilliantly saved by Innocent Nyasulu. Soon after, the match ended with Kamuzu Barracks 0-2 FCB Nyasa Big Bullets.
Bullets’ Chikumbutso Salima was voted player of the match.
Kamuzu Barracks head coach Nicholas Mhango acknowledged the defeat, saying they didn’t play according to plan.
“We conceded two goals in the first half and our plan didn’t work out. In the second half we played better but failed to score. If we had played at home at Champion Stadium, we could have done better, but still we will play to get maximum points in our remaining four games,” said Mhango.
Bullets assistant coach Gilbert Chirwa was excited about the win.
“We played very well and created a lot of chances today. The result is a true reflection of how we played.
There is no team which plays well without pressure—even those fighting the relegation battle have it. Today it’s water under the bridge; let’s prepare for our next game on Sunday against Creck Sporting Club,” Chirwa said.
The win has taken FCB Nyasa Big Bullets to the summit of the table with 56 points from 24 games, opening a one-point gap over second-placed Mighty Wanderers FC, who have 55 points from 23 matches.
Meanwhile, at Champion Stadium, MAFCO defeated Civil Service United 1-0 courtesy of China Chirwa’s lone goal.
