Nyasa Big Bullets yesterday beat their hosts Civil Sporting Club 2-1 to extend their lead by four points at the summit of the 16-team TNM Super League.
The result at Civo Stadium in Lilongwe means Bullets have increased their tally to 16 points against second-placed Azam Tigers’ 12. Both sides have so far played six games and are the only unbeaten outfits in the league this season.
Civil, who have suffered their first league loss in 2018, remain stuck on the third position with 10 points from five games.
Yesterday, the first-half ended 0-0.
Civil deployed a fast pressing game, forcing Bullets to be second on the ball. However, the real excitement of the match came deep in the second half as all the three goals were scored in a space of 12 minutes.
Bright Munthali drew the first blood for Bullets with a 25-metre thunderbolt in the 68th minute after receiving a fine pass from Mike Mkwate. Chiukepo Msowoya made it 2-0 eight minutes later following a mistake by Civil’s defender Gomezgani Chirwa. As he attempted to prevent a corner-kick, he gifted the ball to Munthali, who passed it on to Msowoya for a simple tap-in.
Civil found solace spot-kick in the 80th minute converted by Raphael Phiri after Calvin Thotho was fouled in the box.
After the match, Bullets team manager James Chilapondwa attributed their fifth win of the season to a change of tactics in the second-half.
“In the first-half we approached the game defensively as we cautiously studied our opponents. But in the second-half, we realised we needed to score goals and we went flat out on the attack. It feels great to be at the top of the table with unbeaten run,” he said.
Civil coach Franco Ndawa rued missed scoring chances, especially in the first half.
In the other league match, Mzuzu University (Mzuni) and Moyale Barracks settled for a one-all draw at Mzuzu Stadium in Mzuzu. The teams scored in the first half through Henry Misinjo and Brian Maganga, respectively. Moyale are ninth on the table with six points from six games while Mzuni are 11th with five points from five games. Both have moved a step up. n
