Africa-Press – Malawi. TNM Super League champions Nyasa Big Bullets are on course to breaking the points record they set in 2018 after cruising to 70 points following a 4-1 win over Karonga United at Kamuzu Stadium in Blantyre Wednesday.
Bullets only need to beat Dedza Dynamos in their last match at the same venue on Saturday to surpass the 71 points they won the league with some four seasons ago.
In Wednesday’s encounter, both teams approached the match cautiously as they also had an eye on the second leg of the Airtel Top 8 Cup quarterfinals which will see them clashing again in Karonga.
Bullets veterans Yamikani Fodya and Henry Kabichi featured in midfield partnering Thompson Magombo while Karonga striker Sherrif Shamama started at leftback before being shifted to the frontline midway in the second half.
It was an improved performance from Karonga as they tried to make improvements from the 7-0 loss to Bullets in the Airtel Top 8 Cup first leg quarterfinal tie.
Mphatso Kamanga gave Karonga the lead in the 25th minute before Hassan Kajoke equalised for Bullets a minute later. On the stroke of half time, Kajoke completed his brace as Bullets took control of the match.
Both teams made changes in the second half but it was Bullets’ substitution that worked. Substitute Stanley Billiat cushioned Bullets’ lead with a neat finish in the 62nd minute while another substitute Righteous Banda registered his name on the scoresheet in added time.
Bullets Assistant Coach Peter Mponda said they made tactical changes while hoping to win. “We had to rest some players and give others a chance to show their potential,” Mponda said. Karonga Coach Christopher Nyambose picked some positives from the match.
“At least today there was an improvement. The boys applied what we told them to do. It is unfortunate that we relaxed soon after scoring. This allowed Bullets to use their experience and equalise,” Nyambose said.
The result saw Karonga finishing the season on position 11 with 31 points from 30 games. In another match played Wednesday, Mighty Mukuru Wanderers secured fourth place in the league with a 1-0 win over Sable Farming at Mpira Stadium in Chiwembe Township, Blantyre.
Misheck Bottomani scored the priceless goal in the 49th minute for the Lali Lubani Road side to move one step up from fifth position, displacing Silver Strikers who finished the season with 51 points.
The Nomads have 53 points from 29 games and will finish on the same position regardless of the result of their final game against Red Lions at Balaka Stadium on Saturday.
This is so because third-placed Kamuzu Barracks are beyond their reach with 57 points. Wanderers caretaker Coach Albert Mpinganjira said they wasted scoring opportunities.
“We came here to attack but wasted some scoring opportunities in the first half,” Mpinganjira said. Sable Coach MacDonald Mtetemera said they wanted to bid farewell to the league with a win but his boys lacked a fighting spirit.
In another match, Blue Eagles thrashed TN Stars 5-0 with Christopher Gototo scoring a hat-trick while Ganizani James and Micium Mhone were on target once each. Elsewhere, Dedza Dynamos and Red Lions shared spoils in a barren draw.
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