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Bullets, Nomads settle for a draw in BT derby

Nyasa Big Bullets and Be Forward Wanderers on Saturday played out a one-all draw in an explosive TNM Super League Blantyre derby at Kamuzu Stadium in  Blantyre.

After two years absence at the venue due to renovations, the multitude that turned out for the match was not disappointed as the two sides dished out their best.

Slippery: Yamikani Fodya (R) tries in vain to dispossess Yamikani Chester

It was a game of two halves—Wanderers dominated the first-half while Bullets took over in the second stanza.

Winger Yamikani Chester, who beat a late fitness test after an injury scare during national team training, was the architect of Wanderers’ attack and picked his third man-of-the-match award in a roll.

From the moment he stepped onto the pitch—actually he was the last Wanderers player to emerge from the tunnel—Bullets were on their toes trying to tame him.

They miserably failed to keep the slippery winger on the leash and ended up conceding free-kicks.

Bullets’ Munthali leaps to escape Kaziputa’s tackle

When let loose, Chester kept on sending dangerous crosses into the box which were a thorn in the fresh for Bullets defence of John Lanjesi, Sankhani Mkandawire and Yamikani Fodya.

However, his crosses were not utilized by strikers Esau Kanyenda and Zicco Mkanda.

After three attempts at goal, Kanyenda, finally got it right when he in the 20th minute, rose to head in a Joseph Kamwendo set piece near the corner flag after a yet another foul on Chester.

The Nomads continued dominating, more especially in the midfield where Kamwendo, and Mike Kaziputa pulled the strings, dominating Bullets’ Henry Kabichi, Nelson Kangunje and Macfarlen Mgwira.

But in the second-half Bullets came back seething with rage.

Now playing with three strikers after introducing Bright Munthali just before recess, replacing Bashir Maunde, the pressure shifted on the Nomads.

With Chester the only player posing a threat, Bullets pressed for an equaliser which they got in the 75th minute.

Mgwira burst on the wing beating his two markers and whipped it inside where unmarked Fischer Kondowe coolly tapped in with ease.

From then on, Bullets camped in the Nomads half with Wanderers mostly operating from counter attacks.

The Nomads almost got a second goal when Chester’s goal-bound cross hit the cross bar before being cleared for a corner.

The match ended with Bullets wasting two set–pieces just outside the18-yard box.

Coaches from both side seemed satisfied with the result.

“It was a good game for us especially in the first-half. We started well and scored. But in the second-half, we relaxed and conceded that goal. After some time, we recovered and contained them,” said Wanderers coach Bob Mpinganjira.

His counterpart, Rogers Yasin, also felt a draw was a fair result.

“It was a balanced game. They played well in first-half we responded well in second-half,” he said.

Bullets still lead with 46 points while Wanderers are second with 39 points.

Silver Strikers, who also drew 0-0 against Mafco at Chitowe, are third with 38 points.

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