Bullets duo tests positive for Covid-19

Nyasa Big Bullets will miss their first-choice goalkeeper Ernest Kakhobwe and striker Hassan Kajoke for the next two weeks after the duo tested positive for Covid-19.

The two, alongside team manager James Chilapondwa and welfare manager Chisomo Chikwembani, showed symptoms of the virus, prompting the club to take them for a test.

A statement from the club issued yesterday, stated that the results came out positive for the two players while the other two officials tested negative.

“Nyasa Big Bullets FC can confirm that Hassan Kajoke and Ernest Kakhobwe have tested positive for Covid-19.

“On Friday, the two players and two officials, team manager James Chilapondwa and welfare manager Chisomo Chikwembani underwent tests at Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital after showing symptoms of the virus.

“The results, which came out on Saturday, however, showed that the two members of the technical staff tested negative,” reads the statement from the club.

The club said the duo, who missed Bullets’ 5-1 win over Moyale Barracks in the TNM Super League on Saturday afternoon at Kamuzu Stadium, will now observe a period of self-isolation in accordance with the Super League of Malawi and government safety protocols.

Meanwhile, former Flames captain and Bullets defender John Lanjesi is back in action two years after sustaining a career- threatening knee injury.

Lanjesi, who damaged his anterior cruciate ligament in a league match against Mlatho Mponela in 2019, was an 83rd-minute substitute replacing Misheck Seleman on Satruday.

The former Civil United captain said he was relieved to return to action after the long lay-off.

During the match, his team-mate striker Zicco Mkanda also scored his first goal since joining Bullets from Be Forward Wanderers early this year with a stunning volley which beat advancing Moyale goalkeeper Oris Nkhwazi.

Mkanda’s goal was the fourth after Aziz Mwakifuna, Chimwemwe Idana, Nickson Nyasulu and Mike Mkwate had already done the damage. Brown Magaga scored Moyale’s consolation in added on time.