Pasuwa’s team suffer first league home loss in eight years

CALLISTO PASUWA’S Nyasa Big Bullets appear to be suffering from the effects of their elimination from the CAF Champions League.

They were the toast of Malawi after they went to Durban and stunned AmaZulu 1-0, in the first leg, of their Champions League preliminary round qualifier.

However, a morale-chattering 1-3 loss at home, to the same opponents, sent them crashing out of the continent’s flagship interclub tournament.

They were held to a 1-1 draw, in their next match, against MAFCO before a 0-1 loss to their biggest rivals, Mighty Wanderers, on Sunday, ended Big Bullets’ dominance of this encounter.

Striker Vincent Nyangulu scored the priceless goal, in the 30th minute, with a clinical finish, after midfielder Yamikani Chester’s fine assist.

The victory marked the end of Wanderers’ nine-year wait to beat their city rivals in the TNM Super League and Bullets’ eight-year unbeaten home record.

It was also the first time, in four years, for the Blantyre derby to produce a winner since August 2017, after previous five encounters between the two sides, ended in draws.

The last time the two sides met, in the 2021 TNM Super League season first round, the match was abandoned due to crowd trouble, while the scoreline was 1-1.

The match was later declared a draw by the Super League of Malawi and Wanderers, who had an upper hand in that match, felt betrayed by poor officiating.

Midfielders Wisdom Mpinganjira, Vitumbiko Kumwenda, Felix Zulu and Chester caused a lot of problems for Bullets’ defence, creating some fine chance, for striker Nyangulu.

In contrast, Bullets’ midfield was overwhelmed and with their star player and captain, Chimwemwe Idana, looking out of sorts.

The second-half even proved tough for the

Bullets as they were never a threat for the composed Wanderers.

“I am happy that the players did exactly what we wanted to do. It was not an easy game. We worked hard for it,” Wanderers coach, Bob Mpinganjira, said.

The result means Wanderers have blown the league title open to top three teams — leaders Bullets, second-placed Silver Strikers and the Nomads.

Bullets still lead the table with 56 points while Silver have 55 points and the Nomads have 51 points, but with a game in hand.

However, Bullets assistant coach, Peter Mponda, downplayed the loss, saying they were still capable of defending the championship.

“We are a team that know how to win the championship. We are going to Lilongwe to play Kamuzu Barracks in our next game before we play Karonga United at home.

“We can win both games and defend the championship.’’

Meanwhile, the Presidential Task Force on Covid-19 in Malawi have relaxed restrictions of fans to watch football in stadiums, saying fully vaccinated spectators will now be allowed to follow the action live.

The decision comes two weeks after Football Association of Malawi wrote the Presidential Task Force on Covid-19 to consider allowing a limited number of vaccinated people at football matches.

“We are grateful to the Presidential Task Force on Covid-19 because this will enable us to reach out to those who have been vaccinated to watch the games,’’ said league secretary-general, Williams Banda.

“We will also arrange with health facilities close to football venues to vaccinate those who are willing.

“This is a timely intervention as football fans will greatly contribute to increase the Covid19 vaccination uptake.” — Sports Reporter/ Malawi Nation