Leaders Big Bullets on Sunday survived a scare from rookies Dedza Young Soccer when they came from behind to force a one-all draw at Dedza Stadium in a TNM Super League encounter.
The People’s Team had their lead at the summit of the log table reduced to 10 points following Mafco’s 3-1 victory over Red Lions in Balaka.
Bullets now have 51 points from 22 games while Mafco have 41.
Dedza stunned Bullets with an early strike through Fletcher Bandawe in the seventh minute. Bandawe, who was named man-of-the-match, took advantage of a defensive lapse on the part of the visitors.
However, Bullets pulled level in the 21st minute through Dave Ng’ambi to earn the People’s Team an unlikely point.
Dedza thrust brightly and dominated the better part of the proceedings, especially in the second half in which they forced Bullets into rear guard action, but sadly, they did not have an ounce of luck.
“I think to us a point is better, we are lucky to have salvaged out something from this game; otherwise, Dedza outplayed us and with a bit of luck, they could have beaten us. We were up against a team fighting relegation and it was never going to be easy,” said a relieved Bullets team manager Rahim Ishmael.
On his part, Dedza coach MiliasPofera-Jegwe said although they deserved to win, a point gained was satisfactory considering that they were up against a giant.
Dedza have now moved a step up from 14th to 13th position with 20 points from 22 games.
In Balaka, Lions took the lead through Gibson Nkhonjera, but Mafco recovered to score three goals through Hassan Chapola, Maurice Chiumia and CallistoKalinda.
At Silver Stadium in Lilongwe, Silver Strikers gave away a two-goal lead to be held to a two-all draw by Kamuzu Barracks.
The Bankers led comfortably through goals from Peter Wadabwa and Blessings Tembo, but towards the end of the first half, ZinjaniYona pulled one back before Harvey Nkacha cancelled the lead at the start of the second half.
Silver are still third with 37 points from 23 games.
At Nankhaka Stadium, also in the capital city, Azam Tigers’ winless streak in the second-round continued when they lost 3-1 to Blue Eagles.
Former Comoros-based forward Wister Phiri, was the toast of the afternoon for the cops when he claimed a hat-trick whereas Yamikani Chester scored the consolation goal for Tigers. Eagles are now fourth with 36 points from 20 games.
