Nyasa Big Bullets looked to get their TNM Super League title defence on track after a comfortable 5-1 victory over struggling Moyale Barracks.
It was the first home win for the People’s Team for the current season which has moved them to fifth in the standings with eight points, four adrift of leaders Red Lions.
Bullets coach Kalisto Pasuwa made several changes to his team following the absence of several players due to injuries and positive Covid-19 tests.
Misheck Seleman started for the first time for the Blantyre outfit, replacing injured Peter Banda and he performed superbly, providing three assists.
Miracle Gabeya was recalled into the first 11 to replace Ben Manyozo while McFarlane Ngwira started in place of Hassan Kajoke.
The first eight minutes of the match was unexciting as both sides struggled to cope with the water-lodged pitch following the rains that poured an hour before kick-off.
After eight minutes, the People’s Team settled and started to play their usual passing game, finally breaking the deadlock 10 minutes into the half through Azizi Mwakifuna who headed in from a sumptuous Precious Sambani cross.
Six minutes later, Chimwemwe Idana was on target after a good exchange of passes with Seleman.
The left winger assisted another goal, this time it was defender Nickson Nyasulu with Bullets’ last of the half on 26th minutes.
In the second half, Moyale Barracks looked an improved side as they tried to close some spaces created by the Bullets midfield.
On the 72nd minute, Mike Mkwate was on target after a fantastic counter-attacking move.
He exchanged passes with Seleman from their half into the Moyale box where the midfielder slotted home into the back of the net.
Moyale Barracks reduced the deficit a moment later through Brown Maganga who capitalised on Miracle Gabeya’s blunder but Substitute Zicco Mkanda finished the slaughter of Moyale in the added minutes.
Apart from the victory, Nyasa Big Bullets fans were happy to see the return of their captain John Lanjesi who was introduced 10 minutes before recess after spending almost one year out with a knee injury.
After the match, Bullets’ assistant coach Peter Mponda noted.
“We played well and the result is true reflection of the game, we missed the services of several key players but I am happy that today’s team put a gallant fight and we won the match.”
His counterpart Mike Kumanga conceded the defeat saying Bullets were a better side.
In Karonga, an own goal by Red Lions player helped Karonga to end their misery after their disappointing trip to Lilongwe last week where they lost two games.
The victory for Karonga means Red Lions’ unbeaten run is over.
The Lions are still leading the table with 12 points.
At Mzuzu Stadium, Silver Strikers continued their superb performance as they thrashed Mzuzu Warriors 4-0 courtesy of a Maxwell Gasten hattrick and a goal from Hadji Wali.
Mafco started their southern region tour with a 2-0 victory over Ntopwa FC to register their first win of the season.
Ntopwa technical director Isaac Osman hailed his boys for displaying beautiful football while MAFCO coach Temwa Msuku complained about the officiation despite their victory.
And at Civo Stadium, the Lilongwe derby between Civo Service United and Kamuzu Barracks ended in a stalemate.
