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Battle not yet over

Malawi representatives in Confederation of Africa Football (CAF) club competitions Nyasa Big Bullets and Silver Strikers are optimistic of upsetting the tables despite yesterday losing in the first legs of the preliminary matches.

CAF Champions League flag carriers Bullets lost 1-0 to Gor Mahia of Kenya at Moi International Sports Centre in Kasarani while Silver lost by the same score line to AO CMS in Confederation Cup at at Augustin Monédan in Libreville, Gabon.

The narrow losses give hope for the Malawi representatives that they can still make it if they beat their opponents next week Wednesday at home.

Despite all the noise that they would slaughter the People’s Team, Gor Mahia were not as aggressive in match which was live streamed on their YouTube channel.

Bullets under Zimbabwean Callisto Pasuwa, knowing that they were playing away, opted to be cautious.

The coach started Ernest Kakhobwe in goals and though jittery in the opening minutes, he managed to settle down well.

After a quiet first half, the second-half exploded into life with Gor Mahia’s best effort coming in the 53rd minute but Sudanese referee Adel Mukhtar Adam ruled out Samuel Onyango’s goal for off-side.

The back four of John Lanjesi, Pilirani Zonda, Yamikani Fodya and Miracle Gabeya stood firm against the hosts attacks led their main strikers Erisa Ssekisambu and Onyango who replaced injured Jacques Tuyisenge.

Nelson Kangunje and  Chiukepo Msowoya had no attempt at goal.

But just at a time when Bullets thought they had managed to hold the hosts, substitute midfielder Bernard Ondiek pulled the trigger outpacing Bullets defenders after picking up a pass in the box before firing home in the 94th minute

Bullets, who head back home today, are positive of upsetting the tables.

“They [Gor Mahia] are not as dangerous as they said they are. They know that they are in for it when they come to Malawi,” said Bullets team manager James Chilapondwa in post match interview monitored on Zodiak Broadcasting Station.

In Gabon, Silver coach Lovemore Fazili, who had earlier said he wanted to at least avoid conceding, also ended up losing.

The Central Bankers’ stuck to their traditional starting XI using an easy to executive 4-4-2 system.

Fazili featured Brighton Munthali in goals, Yinusa Sheriff, Hebert Wayekha, Mark Fodya and Trevor Kalema in defence.

Young Chimodzi Jnr played as a holding midfielder alongside Levison Maganizo while Thuso Paipi and Duncan Nyoni were deployed on the wings.

Khuda Muyaba and Mike Tetteh completed the 4-4-2 formation up front.

The bankers only managed to hold the hosts for 20 minutes before conceding a goal scored by AO CMS centre-forward Nani Nono Yohann.

But Fazili said the result was not bad and promised to upset the tables in the return leg to be played at their backyard Silver Stadium in Lilongwe.

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