Surestream struggles continue as they lose to BB
Defending champions Big Bullets punched holes in Surestream FC’s proverbial bus as the rookies’ TNM Super League induction continued with a 3-1 defeat at the Kamuzu Stadium in Blantyre yesterday.
Jaffalie Chande’s double and Mussa Manyenje’s other goal made it two wins in two games for the Bullets, while consigning the rookies, who got a consolation through Peter Msowoya, to a second consecutive defeat.
Bullets join on six points leaders Blue Eagles, Red Lions and Mafco who are all separated by goal difference.
At the giant stadium, Surestream technical director Peter Mponda tried something different. He dropped first-choice goalkeeper Brightone Munthali and midfielder Ernest Tambe.
Not only that. Mponda sacrificed his team’s trademark thrilling passing game and tried a defensive formation that frustrated the Bullets into a goalless first half in which their goalkeeper Owen Chaima was a virtual spectator.
It was a half of patience for the newcomers and one of frustrations for the Bullets whose game roared to life through man-of-the match Yamikani Fodya’s wonder long-range free kick which Chande escorted into the net on the 48th minute. It was the Bullets’ opener.
Surestream were not taking it lying down. In a counter attack on the 60th minute, Fodya turned to villain when he handled the ball in his own box, leaving referee Waneck Mlenga with no choice but to award a penalty.
Surestream striker Bernard Chimaimba stepped forward, but Chaima guessed right in diving to his left to punch the ball—only for Msowoya to finish off the loose ball, his third so far.
Some 17 minutes later, Bullets striker Chiukepo Msowoya chested the ball, turned and flicked it onto the path of Manyenje who beat goalkeeper Alex Makina for the second.
Chande grabbed a brace when he powerfully thumped into the net Fischer Kondowe’s corner kick. Chande’s header drilled a hole into the net amid applause.
“We lost to set pieces and that was same thing when we played Blue Eagles. Football wise, we are playing well. We are improving. We knew that we would struggle in the first five games,” Mponda said.
In other games, in Lilongwe Epac registered their first win when beating Moyale 2-1 to leave the Mzuzu soldiers empty handed from two consecutive games.
At Dedza, Mzuni FC also lost 1-0 to Kamuzu Barracks and the rookies are also winless in two outings. Elsewhere, Red Lions defeated Airborne Rangers 3-1 to leave the soldiers also top on six points from two games.
