Resolute Wizards frustrate Bullets: Malawi TNM Super League
Patrick Phiri’s shot in the dying minutes after a terrible error from Nyasa Big Bullets defence gave Wizards FC a goal that cancelled out Chiukepo Msowoya’s fine first-half strike ending the game to 1-1 draw at Kamuzu Stadium in the TNM Super League.
The results means Bullets have lost five points in two weeks having lost 1-0 to Karonga United last weekend in Mzuzu.
The Peoples Team, who started with Msowoya and Muhammad Sulumba on the bench, looked eager to impress against the young lads in the first 20 minutes of the match.
Henry Kabichi presented Nikiza Imebo a chance to open the score sheet when he palmed a deep cross but the towering sgtriker failed to head home into an unguarded net.
Bullets, who most of their players looked fatigue plagued after playing Mafco FC on Saturday in a cup game – too often let the Peter Mponda boys and their defensive colleagues off the hook.
Veteran forward Grant Lungu, who has re-launched his career with Wizards, summed up the lads side’s slack play when he wasted a glorious one-on-one opportunity.
Carried wide by a needlessly heavy touch, the former Bullets striker effort beat Ernest Kakhobwe but ended up in the side-netting.
Then Nikiza picked up the ball out wide and despite being confronted by three white shirts during his mazy run, never had to deal with a challenge. Allowed to progress to the edge of the area, but his last effort went over the bar.
On the other end, Cuthbert Sinetre, formerly of Wanderers had a wonderful chance when he beat the hesitant Miracle Gabeya to an over-hit pass just before the break.
However, with Bullets goalkeeper caught out of position, the forward missed the target.
Kakhobwe was in the right place to keep out a low drive from Lungu early in the second half, while he also had to beat away a stinging drive from Jimmy Chikulekule.
Wizard’s keeper was occasionally called into action at the other end, including denying Muhammad Sulumba at close range after the forward had been played through by Kabichi wonderful reverse pass.
Dis-jointed Bullets seemed to have run out of ideas until Kakhobwe made a mess of a cross, his inability to deal with the delivery allowing Patrick Phiri to level right at the death.
Wizards FC Coach Peter Mponda saluted his troops for their victory but was quick to stress that his boys did not play according to his instructions.
“You have to play with a warrior mentality when playing against Bullets, which we did today. But our objective is more wins,” said Mponda.
Nyasa Big Bullets team manager Billy Tewesa conceded that his team as well was outplayed as they missed too many scoring opportunities.
The Peoples Team next assignment is this coming weekend, as they are expected to invade Lilongwe to play Kamuzu Barracks and Civo United.
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