Bullets rout Escom, Silver top
Big Bullets were ruthless, yet generous, as they scored six goals at Kamuzu Stadium on Sunday. They routed Escom United 5-1, including an own goal, to squeeze them deeper into TNM Super League relegation zone.
Man-of-the-match Fischer Kondowe, Diverson Mlozi, James Chilapondwa, Gabadinho Mhango and Dalitso Sailesi scored for Bullets, while defender Chiku Kanyenda donated one to Escom in the 78th minute.
Escom are second from bottom on 19 points from 23 games.
The bigger story to the league campaign is that the title is now for defending champions Silver Strikers to lose. On Sunday, they trounced bottom-placed Kabwafu United 4-0 to dislodge Blantyre United at the top on goal aggregate.
Like Blantyre United, Silver have 48 points and have five games to finish the season whereas United have three. Bullets lie third on 46 points with four matches to go.
At Kamuzu Stadium, Kondowe surprised the crowd and himself when his cross, dispatched from the right, swerved in at the far post of Escom goalkeeper Thom Kalavina’s net in the 16th minute.
“I wanted to cross for a colleague in the box and I was surprised that it swerved into the net,” said Kondowe who made the third, cutting from the left to square the ball for Mlozi who stooped to bend his shot into the net in the 51st minute.
Earlier, Mlozi had made the second, flicking the ball which Escom defender Jacob Ngwira handled in the box for a penalty which James Chilapondwa converted in the 19th minute. There was absolutely no commitment from Escom, who conceded the fourth; Mhango getting to an end of quick exchange of passes to net in the 70th minute.
Then, Kanyenda’s attempt to cut Mannaseh Chiyesa’s left low cross saw him deflect the ball into the net Escom’s consolation. Bullets got their fifth, Mhango backheeled the ball for Sailesi to score and leave Escom coach Alex Masanjala in despair.
“It would now be extremely tough for us [to survive]. Commitment was lacking, the ‘keeper let in three silly goals and we were punished,” Masanjala said while his counterpart Eddington Ng’onamo said they would not take the foot off the pedal.
