Patrick Mwaungulu scored a late-winner to complete an extraordinary comeback for FCB Nyasa Big Bullets against Civil Service United to win 3-2 at the Kamuzu Stadium on Wednesday, returning top of the TNM Super League log table.
The Servents achieved an early lead within the first 19 minutes of the match thanks to Luke Chima, who scored from rebound when Binwell Katinji’s attempt was saved by goalkeeper Richard Chimbamba.
FCB Nyasa Big Bullets defender Kesten Simbi failed to clear the ball barely three minutes later, letting Civil add to it’s tally with a strike from Binwell Katinji -who capitalised on the deflection to pounce.
The hosts showed signs of breaking Civil’s momentum when referee Mayamiko Kanjere awarded them penalty on 40th minute but Lanjesi Nkhoma saw his 12 yard shot saved by goalkeeper Tione Tembo.
The People’s Team managed to finally break through in the 45th minute, when Nkhoma got into the box and got on the end of a cross from defender Gomezgani Chirwa.
The vistors were 2-1 up going into the second half, and Bullets made a triple substitutions as Peter Banda who was making return debut, Frank Willard and Ephraim Kondowe replaced Antony Mfune, Kesten Simbi and Kenneth Pasuwa.
Bullets leveled the match with a close range finish from Ephraim Kondowe in the 50th minute in the box from a Patrick Mwaungulu pass.
The match seemed set for a draw when yet another moment of late-game Bullets magic occured.
Enerst Petro laid the ball off for Mwaungulu in the 86th minute, who made a terrific run towards the box before smashing the ball into the top corner of Tembo’s goal to seal the comeback for Bullets.
With a game in hand FCB Nyasa Big Bullets are now one point clear of Mighty Mukuru Wanderers, Chitipa United — who are tied on 36 points — and Silver Strikers in third place on 33 points.
“Legs are looking tired if you look at the boys in the first half, they were very slow, we tried to bring in new fresh legs so that we can see how we manage. Maybe it’s fatigue because of the tight games schedule.
“We conceded two goals because we lacked concentration, which I think it’s part of the game. We managed to come together and do the right thing in the second half which we were very offensive, no wonder we don’t the desired results,” said FCB Nyasa Big Bullets Kalisto Pasuwa
With the result, Civil Service United have dropped a step down from 9th to 10th with their 24 points.
But despite the defeat, Civil Service United assistant coach Wilson Chidati praised his players for their performances.
“We were winning 2-0 but they [Bullets] came from behind, that’s part of the game, but I salute my boys for playing well according to the instructions” said Chidati
In other match, Bangwe All Stars relied on Friday Osaigie’s 58th minute strike to beat Ekwendeni Hammers 1-0 at Rumphi Stadium.
The win has helped Abel Mkandawire’s side to move from 7th to 5th with 28 points while Hammers dropped to 9th from 8th with 25 points.
At Karonga Stadium, hosts Karonga United beat Moyale Barracks 2-0 thanks to Allen Chihana and Mwiso Youngson goals, the victory helped Karonga United to reach 27 points and they are now sixth from 10th while Moyale Barracks remains 11th with 23 points.
There was relegation battle at Balaka Stadium in all military affair as Red Lions lost 2-1 to MAFCO FC.
Duncan Mwale and David Daudi scored for the Salima based soldiers while Brown Gondwe was on target for Red Lions.
MAFCO have climbed out of the relegation zone as they now sits 13tg with 21 points whereas Red Lions have stuck at 15th with 18 points.
