Eagles swallow Big Bullets in TNM Super League

Tom Sangala June 18, 2017

312 1 minute read

By Mabvuto Kambuwe and Isaac Salima

NYASA Big Bullets lost 0-1 to Blue Eagles whereas Silver Strikers and Be Forward Wanderers won in Mzuzu and Dwangwa, respectively, in TNM Super League first-round encounters played yesterday.

Chisomo Chilasa came off the bench to snatch the only goal as Eagles beat Bullets before a huge crowd at Nankhaka Stadium in Lilongwe. Both teams had scoring opportunities but it was Chilasa who had the last laugh to end Bullets’ three-game unbeaten run.

Following the win, Eagles have collected eight points from six games whereas Bullets have 10 points also from six games. Bullets Head Coach, Nsanzurwimo Ramadhan, handed a debut to former Civo United attacker Nelson Kangunje but the day belonged to Eagles, who too, ended a three-game winless run.

The People’s Team wasted several scoring opportunities in the first-half as Bright Munthali and Collen Nkhulambe fired blanks. On the other hand, Maxwell Salambula and John Malidadi Junior also fluffed several opportunities.

In a post-match reaction, Eagles Coach, Audloy Makonyola, who was given a three-game ultimatum to turn around the team’s fortunes, was on cloud nine. “We came with a good game-plan to frustrate them.

Most of their good players did not tick because we contained them,” he said.

Bullets Assistant Coach, Elia Kananji, said: “The players did well but we failed to score. Any way, it is part of the game. We will work on the problems.”

In Chitowe, Wanderers scored through Peter Wadabwa in added minutes to beat Dwangwa United 1-0 in a balanced game.

Both teams created few chances, and just as the game looked destined for a barren draw, Dwangwa conceded a free-kick just outside the 18-yard box for substitute Wadabwa to finish off a fumbled ball from Dwangwa goalkeeper Philemon Barnet. Wanderers Coach, Yasin Osman, was understandably delighted with the hard fought victory.

“We are happy that we have won because we needed the three points. However, we did not play well. I think we under estimated our opponents. We controlled the game, but I think we were over confident,” said Osman, whose charges have won three consecutive games without conceding. Dwangwa mentor Macdonald Mtetemera was heartbroken with the defeat.

“The guys played well and we deserved to win this game but hard luck to my boys and congratulations to Wanderers,” Mtetemera said. In Mzuzu, Matthew Sibale scored a double as Silver Strikers defeated Chitipa United 2-0.

In other games played yesterday, Azam Tigers came from behind to draw 3-3 with Blantyre United whereas defending champions, Kamuzu Barracks shared the spoils 1-1 with Civil Sporting Club.