Chitipa foil Bullets plan, TN Stars take driving seat
Rookies Savenda Chitipa United yesterday came from two goals down to force a two-all draw against TNM Super League champions Nyasa Big Bullets at Kamuzu Stadium in Blantyre.
Bullets were the odds-on favourite to win their home fixture and climb to second in the 16-team league on better goal difference, but the surprise stalemate has prompted them to remain stuck on fifth position with 15 points from eight games.
Nevertheless, it was a sweet story for Kasungu-based TN Stars as they beat their hosts Masters Security FC 2-0 at Dedza Stadium to displace Blue Eagles at the top with 19 points from nine matches. Eagles and Kamuzu Barracks are now second and third, respectively, after tying on 17 points.
Although Stars have become the first team to beat ninth-placed Masters
at their Dedza fortress this season, all eyes were at Kamuzu Stadium as Bullets’ draw against Chitipa was the most shocking result.
Bullets were playing at home against a side that is third from the bottom of the table and were leading 2-0 with at least 30 minutes of regulation time remaining. It was no surprise, therefore, that Bullets supporters booed their team at the sound of the final whistle as Chitipa players celebrated as if they had won.
Bashir Maunde and Chimwemwe Idana’s strikes in the 13th and 57th minute gave Bullets false hopes of winning the match until Yotamu Chitete and Emmanuel Muyira put Chitipa back into comfort zone with wonderful drives in the 61st and 79th minutes, respectively.
Bullets coach Calisto Pasuwa had no option but to apologise to Bullets fans for the disappointing result.
“I say sorry to Bullets supporters for this mess. Today, we did not come to the party. We lost possession unnecessarily and Chitipa were all over us. We will go back to the drawing board to rectify our mistakes,” he said.
Pasuwa also attributed the draw to the absence of key defenders John Lanjesi and Gomezgani Chirwa, who are nursing injuries.
On the other hand, Chitipa coach Alex Ngwira said they are happy with the stalemate against their bigger opponents.
“This is like victory to us. It was a big achievement to come from behind and draw against the defending champions, who had home ground advantage,” he said.
“We told our boys to break down every move Bullets could hatch and I am happy they played according to plan.”
