Bullets tame Nomads: Malawi TNM Super League

Big Bullets on Saturday made a statement of intent in their title charge with a determined and deserved  1-0 victory  against their bitter rivals Mighty Wanderers at the fully packed Kamuzu  Stadium.

Wanderers stormed the Kamuzu Stadium desperate for revenge  but they came out of it chastened, their presumption mercilessly exposed, grateful only that they had lost narrowly.

Pilirani Zonda  19th minute vital  pushed the Bullets second of TNM Super League table with 40 points from 19 games. Blue Eagles remain top on similar points after trouncing Epac 3-1, thanks to goals from Micium Mhone, Charles Ngosi and Stuart Mbunge.

The Nomads remain 10th on 20 points.

Bullets coach Kananji insisted this was a game Bullets  had to win – this they did and with the sort of performance that put down a marker for how the former Blantyre Unites mentor  wants his team to play.

Asked in post-match interview if the win means the ‘People’s team’ is on course for the title, Kananji said: “The title remains wide open, but this is the game we needed to win.”

He pointed out that the derby had the “intensity, passion and competitiveness”.

For the Nomads coach Gerald Phiri, it means he has emerged without a win from the three toughest games against Bullets.

“It’s not nice to lose to Bullets. But we have to give credit to them for the win,” said Phiri.

“We made a mistake that cost us the game,” Phiri added in a post-match interview.

A huge crowd that included sports minister Grace Chiumia watched the match, but the action did not live up expectations with Wanderers very disappointing especially in their finishing upfront.

In other games, Airborne Rangers lost 3-1 Mafco in a Dwangwa derby.

Bullets squad: Vincent Gona, Sankhani Mkandawire, Yamikani Fodya, Bashir Maunde (James Chilapondwa), Pilirani Zonda, Victor Limbani, Dalitso Sailesi, Henry Kabichi, Jaffalie Chande (Fischer Kondowe), Frazer Menyani (Jimmy Zakazaka), Mussa Manyenje.

Wanderers squad: Richard Chipuwa, Enock Likoswe, Francis Mulimbika, Kondwani Lufeyo, Jacob Ngwira, Patrick Gunde (Kondwani Kumwenda), Victor Mpinganjira (Sparrow Msowoya), Mike Kaziputa, Cuthbert Sinetre, Khumbo Ng’ambi (Elia Munthali), Luka Milanzi.