Chikumbutso Salima scored a brace before Zimbabwean midfielder, Ronald Chitiyo sealed the win as FCB Nyasa Big Bullets claimed a 3-0 win over Mighty Waka Waka Tigers at Kamuzu Stadium on Wednesday afternoon.
Salima scored late in the first half to give Bullets the lead at the break before completing his brace in the second half and Chitiyo scored his second goal in three games.
Kalisto Pasuwa’s men squeezed themselves into the top three teams, leapfrogging Mzuzu City Hammers who beat Chitipa United last weekend while a defeat denied Tigers the chance of climbing to 11th as they remained 12th with 28 points from 26 games played.
Bullets will switch their concentration to top cup final which is scheduled for this Saturday while the Kau-Kau Boys are taking on Mighty Mukuru Wanderers at Kamuzu Stadium on Sunday in the TNM Super League.
Playing three games every seven days require squad management. Kalisto Pasuwa has been special at that. With another vital game coming on Saturday which can be their potential season saver, Kalisto rested a bulk of his regular players on Wednesday at Kamuzu Stadium with Gomezgani Chirwa, Richard Chimbamba, Yankho Singo, Alick Lungu, Precious Sambani all not even on the bench.
Tigers were coming from a barren stalemate against Karonga United and heading into Wednesday’s game against their rivals, they were hoping to record a win which would lift them to 11th, leapfrogging Dedza Dynamos. However, the visitors, Bullets started the game well better than the hosts with Gastin Phodo’s header rattling the cross-bar before Ephraim Kondowe rifled wide his effort.
Mighty Tigers responded to the early scare with a brilliant move only for the Kenyan defender, Clyde Senaji Navade to rescue Bullets as Grayson Msowoya had the goal gapping.
Tigers’ keeper, Lucky Tizola had to be at his very best to deny Bullets access to the goal in the guest half but he was beaten with just seconds before the first stanza closed. Chawangwa Gumbo detected Salima’s move and the attacker squeezed the ball through the legs of the keeper to give his team an advantage at the break.
The visitors started brightly in the second half with Lameck Gamphani, Lloyd Aaron Banega being unsuccessful in their attempts to beat Tizola. Bullets had a two-goal cushion in the 73rd minute when Salima completed his brace. Ernest Petro attacked down the right flank before spotting Salima unmarked in the penalty area and the first attempt for the attacker was saved by Tizola, the second attempt went in.
Ronald Chitiyo sealed the win with an excellent ball from Yamikani Mologeni in the 82nd minute. Bullets have won seven of their last nine games, drawing against Dedza Dynamos and Mzuzu City Hammers only.
Kalisto Pasuwa says his charges are now back on track after a difficult start to the season. “We wanted to bury this game in the first half, but again we missed several chances. In the end, we got three points and we scored three goals,” he said.
Mighty Waka Waka Tigers Head Coach, Leo Mpulura said he has an average team which is failing to adapt to the game plans. Wednesday’s defeat was their 10th this season.
“We have got an average team whereby we prepare something when we are training but when we come in the game, they don’t apply. So, if they cannot apply what we are telling them in training, it [results] misfire.
“This is one of the worst performances [of my team] this season. I didn’t expect but this is what has happened. We couldn’t concede three goals with a team which Bullets featured today. We are going back as a losing team but we have to go back and encourage the players so that we move to the positive side.
“We had chances in the first half but we didn’t utilize. We were second on the ball and Bullets were like training with us, but we have to go again,” said Mpulura.
Mighty Tigers who are aiming to claim a slot in top 8 remain 12th with 28 points from 26 games while Bullets have climbed to the third place with 44 points from 25 games. The Kau-Kau Boys are facing Mighty Mukuru Wanderers on Sunday.
