………Bullets 3-2 Civil
By Edwin Mbewe
LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-The defending champions FCB Nyasa Big Bullets FC produced a splendid performance as they came from 2-0 down to win the match 3-2 against Civil Service United FC at Kamuzu Stadium on Wednesday, August 30, 2023, to reclaim the top spot.
Patrick Mwaungulu’s late strike in the 86th minute sent Bullets fans at the Kamuzu Stadium into rapture as they didn’t expect their side would win the match after trailing 2-0 in a better half of the first half.
The Servants drew the first blood in the 19th minute through Luke Chima before Binwell Katinji doubled the lead in the 22nd minute with a beautiful finish, capitalizing on the Bullets’ defensive mistake by Kesten Simbi.
Returning to the Superleague action after two weeks’ absence as they were busy with the TotalErnegies CAF Champions League preliminary round where they won 3-0 on aggregate, Bullets struggled to come into the game in the first half.
However, before the end of the first half in the 40th minute, Lanjesi Nkhoma failed to reduce the arrears after his spot kick was cleverly saved by Civil goalkeeper Tione Tembo.
Nkhoma scored in the 45th minute to go for recess with a 1-0 deficit.
At the beginning of the second half, the home team made three changes in search of equalizing goals, Peter Banda who had just rejoined the Palestinians from SC Simba of Tanzania, Ephraim Kondowe, and Frank Willard replaced Kesten Simbi, Anthony Mfune, and Kenneth Pasuwa.
The changes changed the complexion of the game as Bullets kept pressing and putting Civil Service United under siege, In the 49th minute Kondowe leveled the score line.
As the Bullets were busy celebrating their goal, John Chalamanda could have restored the lead but his shot missed Chimbamba’s goal with a whisker after this Lanjesi went with a dangerous and aggressive attack but Tembo saved the Servants with a superb save.
Pasuwa took off Lanjesi Nkhoma and brought on MacFarlane Mgwira at 80th minute. Patrick Mwaungulu scored a beauty in the 86th minute after beating Tione Tembo on goals.
Patrick Mwaungulu was later voted Farmers Organization Limited player of the match.
After the game, FCB Nyasa Big Bullets gaffer Kalisto Pasuwa hailed his boys for the victory while acknowledging they struggled in the first half as fatigue clipped on his players.
“First half we were very slow as the boys looked tired. We tried our best to bring in fresh legs to see how we managed them but still traveling affected us. We kept trying to come into the game as it progressed, but we were still second on the ball and conceded those two goals.
“But that’s what football is all about we corrected our mistakes and scored the three goals. In the second half we were more offensive and attacked them from all angles”, said Pasuwa
Wilson Chidati, assistant coach for Civil Service United FC, was disappointed with the outcome after controlling the play in the first half.
“We led 2-0 but conceded 3 goals is part of the game but players played according to the instructions. After we scored those two goals the boys started relaxing hence we were second on the ball and Bullets utilized that to defeat us. We will work on those areas in our next game”, Chidati said.
With the win Bullets now have 37 points from 18 games and have dislodged Mighty Mukuru Wanderers FC on top of the table who have 36 points from 19 games.
Other results of midweek games, Red Lions suffered a 1-2 home defeat to fellow soldiers MAFCO FC at Balaka Stadium, Duncan Mwale and David Daudi scored for MAFCO while Brown Gondwe scored for the home team.
Bangwe All Stars FC defeated Ekwendeni Hammers FC 1-0 at Rumphi Stadium courtesy of Osaigie Friday and Crocodiles of Karonga United FC hammered Moyale Barracks FC 2-0 at home Karonga Stadium. Allen Chihana and Mwisho Youngson scored for the home side.
