Rangers end BB’s unbeaten run: Malawi TNM Super League

Big Bullets’ unbeaten run in the 2015 TNM Super League season came to a halt on Sunday, October 18, 2015 when the defending champions and current league leaders were beaten 2-1 by relegation threatened Airborne Rangers in a match played at Chitowe Stadium in Dwangwa, Nkhotakota.

Prior to the match, the ‘People’s team’ had gone 17 games without defeat but that record is now history following Jossiah Duwa’s last minute strike.

Just like they did in Thursday’s 2-1 defeat at the hands of Civo United in a Standard Bank Knock-Out Cup semi-final encounter at Kamuzu Stadium, Bullets took the lead 10 minutes into the game- courtesy of a James Chilapondwa strike from the penalty spot.

Lilongwe based referee Hendrix Maseko awarded Bullets the penalty after Airborne defender Stain Malata had reportedly fouled Jafali Chande in the box.

The paratroopers from Salima reorganised themselves in the second half to level the scores through Kephas Zimba before Duwa passed the sentence with just a minute of added time remaining.

Duwa picked a rebound from Bullets’ goalkeeper Chimwemwe Kumkwawa before beating the goalkeeper with a close range drive.

Airborne assistant coach Kondwani Gawani described the win as a timely morale booster in his team’s quest to escape relegation.

The assistant coach said he was pleased that his team is the first to collect maximum points from Bullets this season: “This is a remarkable record for our team. We are breaking records at this ground, having also ended Blue Eagles’ unbeaten run in the first round,” he said.

Bullets’ team manager Billy Tewesa said it was painful to lose after going 17 games unbeaten but assured the team’s faithful that the ‘People’s team’ would defend the league title come December.

“We played well in the first half but we relaxed in the second half, allowing our opponents to come back in the game and claim the lead in injury time,” said Tewesa.

Elsewhere within the central region, Civo United and Epac FC played out a one-all draw at Civo Stadium.