The TNM Super League title race took a new twist Thursday after FCB Nyasa Big Bullets suffered a 1-0 loss to Dedza Dynamos Salima Sugar at Dedza Stadium.
But Silver Strikers kept their title hopes alive after a 2-1 victory over Kamuzu Barracks at Bingu National Stadium (BNS) in Lilongwe whereas Mighty Mukuru Wanderers’ chances have been reduced following a goalless stalemate against Mighty Tigers at Kamuzu Stadium in Blantyre.
The result means Bullets just need four points from the remaining two matches to retain the title for the fifth consecutive season.
They will face Karonga United at Karonga Ground on Wednesday next week before wrapping up the season against Silver on December 3 at Kamuzu Stadium.
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Despite the result, Bullets remain on top of the 16-member log table with 56 points from 28 matches, at par with second-placed Silver, who have played a game more.
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The loss against Dedza was Bullets’ second defeat of the season after they went down by a similar margin to Chitipa United in the first round.
The result should be a cause for concern to Bullets as they are without a win in four consecutive league matches this season.
They drew 1-1 with Wanderers and Red Lions before salvaging a barren draw against Blue Eagles at Nankhaka Stadium in Lilongwe.
Against Dynamos Thursday, the defending champions were clearly second best as they failed to match the hosts in all departments.
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Striker Clement Nyondo scored the lone goal of the match in the second minute when he connected a Lameck Gamphani cross.
Nyondo, who is topping the goal scorers’ chart after scoring his 15th goal of the season, was a constant threat to the out-of-sorts Bullets as he kept tearing them apart.
The visitors nearly grabbed an equaliser from Patrick Mwaungulu’s strike but goalkeeper Donnex Mwakasinga made a reflex save.
Maxwell Gasten Phodo also forced Mwakisinga to make a save in the first half.
After the break, Bullets introduced Blessings Mpokera for Precious Sambani.
The change brought in some stability in Bullets’ midfield but the Blantyre-based giants still struggled to break down Dedza’s defensive lines.
It was a famous victory for Dedza as they moved to position seven with 38 points from 29 matches.
Their coach Gilbert Chirwa, a Bullets legend, was a happy man with the result.
“The early goal disturbed them and we made good use of playing at home. I am happy that we managed to defend the goal up to the end,” Chirwa said.
His Bullets counterpart Kalisto Pasuwa attributed the early goal to loss of concentration.
“We lost concentration in the early minutes of the game and got punished,” Pasuwa said.
At BNS, Patrick Macheso and Chimwemwe Idana scored for Silver whereas Olson Kanjira was on target for the soldiers.
