Big Bullets might as well be on their way to defending the TNM Super League after an exhilarating performance yesterday saw them snatch a 1-0 victory over their rivals Mighty Be Forward Wanderers in a heart-throbbing Blantyre derby at jam-packed Kamuzu Stadium in Blantyre.
After missing hordes of chances, it was Jaffalie Chande who made a difference after taking advantage of Wanderers goalkeeper Richard Chipuwa’s error to claim the lone goal of the game in 52nd minute.
Chipuwa, despite being impressive in the closely contested match, mistimed his move by advancing towards advancing Diverson Mlozi, who outpaced Wanderers defender Peter Nselema.
Chipuwa missed the ball and fouled
Mlozi in the box, but referee Dennis Ngulube made a right decision and allowed play to continue and Chande came deep from the right to simply tap into the yawning net, sending Bullets supporters into frenzy.
The defending champions now comfortably lead at summit with 41 points, 15 adrift of their rivals and 10 clear of second-placed Mafco who beat Blue Eagles 4-1.
Eagles, Azam Tigers and Silver Strikers are tied at 29 points.
Smarting from their 2-1 loss to Nomads in Carlsberg Cup final, Bullets came seething with rage and dominated Nomads for a good part of the first-half.
Bullets were always first on the ball and attacked with purpose with Mlozi—who replaced Sankhani Nyirenda—and Chande leading the onslaught, forcing Wanderers to play deep.
Bullets were also good at the back keeping Luka Milanzi and Muhammad Sulumba at bay. But it was makeshift defender Chikondi Likwemba who stood out to be counted and even claimed the man-of-the-match accolade.
After the game, Wanderers coach Elia Kananji conceded defeat.
“Our rivals were much better than us, we must accept defeat,” Kananji said.
But the Nomads faithful could not take the defeat easily and had to be dispersed with tear gas after the game.
For Bullets, it was sweet revenge following their Carlsberg Cup final loss.
However, coach Mavuto Lungu, while applauding his charges for a carefully executed game plan, was modest in the victory.
“It’s not over yet. We still have a way to go,” he said.
In other games played yesterday, Red Lions beat Epac 1-1, Mafco stunned Blue Eagles 4-1 while Mzuni bagged three points after beating Dedza Young Soccer 2-1.
