Nelson Kangunje’s powerful header in the 83rd minute gave Nyasa Big Bullets a deserved win on Saturday at Nankhaka ground against Blue Eagles in a TNM Super League game .
The win cemented Bullets position at the top of the log table on 58 points as title rivals Silver Strikers dropped points in a one-all draw against Be Forward Wanderers at Kamuzu Stadium on Saturday.
Substitute Fischer Kondowe, who replaced Patrick Phiri, floated a cross in the box for Kangunje to head home, sending Bullets fans wild.
It was also a double victory over Eagles whom they beat 1-0 in the first round.
Bullets dominated the game, creating several chances but they failed to score.
They created the first chance in the eighth minute. Eagles goalkeeper John Soko failed to clear a MacFarlane Ngwira volley and the ball fell in the path of Kangunje but his effort was parried over for a corner.
However Bullets failed to make good use of the resulting corner kick.
Henry Kabichi went close to breaking the deadlock in the 26th minute but headed wide a Pilirani Zonda cross.
A minute later Kabichi’s scorching shot from 30 yards out was kept at bay by Soko.
Despite controlled play that had Eagles midfield of Mecium Mhone, Gregory Nachipo, Pachalo Kumilonde and Wonder Jelemani chasing the ball, Bullets lacked the killer punch.
“It is great to win and we are happy because we want to win the league comfortably,” Bullets team manager, James Chilapondwa, said.
Eagles coach Deklerk Msakakuona admitted being outclassed.
“It was a tough fixture, Bullets played well and used their opportunities. It is disappointing but we have to accept and move on. We have three games remaining and we need to focus on that,” he said.
In another game, Be Forward Wanderers and Silver Strikers settled for a one-all draw at Kamuzu Stadium.
The draw means Silver now have 52 points, six behind leaders Nyasa Big Bullets.
Third-placed Wanderers, who have 46 points, set the pace for the match by knocking around the ball to force Silver on a goose chase.
The Nomads got a goal in the 14th minute when Zicco Mkanda tapped in from right-back Stanley Sanudi cross.
But that was all there was to see from the Nomads who hibernated for a good part of the match.
Silver swiftly reorganised themselves and their marksman Mike Tetteh cancelled Mkanda’s goal just two minutes later.
The Ghanaian proved he is one of the best strikers in the league pounced on a cleared ball then from a different angle executed an overhead kick on the edge of the box beating Wanderers ‘keeper Nenani Juwaya.
Silver assistant coach Peter Mgangira said a draw was okay for the Bankers who lost 1-0 to the Nomads in the first round.
“We had a lot of chances that we could have won the match. Even last week it was the same. But going back home with a point is okay,” he said.
Wanderers coach Bob Mpinganjira admitted that the Nomads struggled in the match but said the title defence is still on.
“We still have seven games to go. We still have a chance to defend the championship,” he said.
But there was a scuffle between Joseph Kamwendo and team manager Steve Madeira following his subtitution for Ernest Tambe in the second half.
In other matches, Nchalo United lost 1-0 to Civil Sporting Club at Kalulu while Karonga United drew one-all against Mzuni FC at Karonga Stadium.
