TNM Super League rookies Karonga United yesterday condemned defending champions Nyasa Big Bullets to their first defeat of the season at Mzuzu Stadium
A 79th minute spectacular strike by Hygiene Mwandepeka from a freekick way outside the 18-yard box was all Karonga needed to register their first win and send ganyu (mercenary) fans into frenzy as they broke into chants of ‘neba mutu sukugwira!’ after the final whistle.
The hosts dominated the better part of the proceedings and they stunned the People’s Team with a performance of hunger, conviction and sheer determination.
Bullets technical director Billy Tewesa conceded defeat after the final whistle and apologised to the team’s faithful for the painful loss.
“We have lost to a team that prior to this match had not won a game and were anchoring the league. There is not much I can say. We accept defeat but we will bounce back,” he said.
On his part, Karonga coach Kondwani Mwalweni was on cloud nine.
“I believe we have now found the winning formula. We came here to fight for a win and it has happened, this is just the start of good things to come,” he said.
Following the win, Karonga have moved out of the bottom to 14th in the 16-team league with six points from nine games while Bullets are still 10th with 12 points from seven games.
In other games, Moyale beat Epac 5-3 at Civo Stadium in Lilongwe, Azam Tigers and Wizards FC played out a goalless draw at Kamuzu Stadium in Blantyre while Mzuzu University (Mzuni) FC edged Dwangwa United 2-1 at Chitowe in Dwangwa, Nkhotakota.
