FCB Nyasa Big Bullets opened a one-point gap at the summit of the TNM Super League table following a 1-1 draw with Red Lions in a match played at Balaka Stadium Wednesday.
Bullets now lead with 55 points from 26 matches while Lions have 29 points after playing 29 matches.
The result still gives Bullets the edge in their quest to retain the championship but the Zomba-based soldiers’ survival in the top flight league hinges on their final match against brothers-in-arms Moyale Barracks, who are equally not safe.
Lions were dangerous in the first half, with striker Ferguson Ntondo combining well with Deus Nkutu and Mike Kaziputa, but they were not good enough to take the lead.
Ntondo came closest to scoring but his shot hit the upright with Bullets goalkeeper Richard Chimbamba getting caught flat-footed.
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Earlier, Bullets veteran Yamikani Fodya had carefully tackled Ntondo to avert danger.
The defending champions were not idle either as they also created chances through Maxwell Gasten Phodo and Lanjesi Nkhoma but Lions goalkeeper Nenani Juwaya impressively kept them at bay with brilliant saves.
At the start of the second half, Bullets Coach Kalisto Pasuwa rested Phodo and Yankho Singo for Hassan Kajoke and Stanley Billiat to add fire power upfront.
The substitution paid dividends as Bullets deservedly took the lead through Patrick Mwaungulu in the 55th minute.
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The goal came after Lions replaced Kennedy Kachimanga with Innocent Makalani before introducing Brown Gondwe for Kaziputa.
Following the goal, Lions resorted to a physical game which slowed down the tempo of the crunching tie.
Bullets nearly extended the lead but Fodya’s freekick hit the woodwork to the disbelief of the jam-packed match venue.
But Lions were handed a lifeline when Nkutu leveled matters in the 74th minute with a tap-in at the far post.
The goal gave Lions the motivation to continue fighting and the soldiers attacked in numbers but could not break Bullets’ defence.
In the dying minutes of the match, Lions suffered a blow as Nkutu picked an injury and was replaced by Franklin Titani.
Pasuwa described the match as tough, saying Lions fought tooth-and-nail to pick up points and avoid relegation.
“Our opponents wanted this game more than we did. So it is a point gained on our part,” he said.
Lions Assistant Coach Malumbo Mkandawire said they could have won the match with more composure.
“This is a match we could have won if we were composed in front of goal. We are a team that is not safe and we need every point we can get. We therefore need to work hard in our remaining match against Moyale and see what will happen,” Mkandawire said.
