Chirambo blames officiation in Hammers’ defeat to Bullets

Mzuzu City Hammers were denied the chance to close the gap with Silver Strikers on Saturday following their 2-0 defeat to FCB Nyasa Big Bullets at Kamuzu Stadium.

Chawangwa Gumbo scored on his second consecutive start when he put the ball beyond the keeper to give Bullets the lead just inside seven minutes in the first half before Patrick Mwangulu doubled the lead with a sweet strike from a direct corner kick.

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It was Hammers’ second defeat this season and their fifth consecutive league defeat to Bullets at Kamuzu Stadium, shipping 15 goals in the process. A win would take them level with Silver Strikers with 16 points.

Speaking after the game, Head Coach for Hammers, Elias Chirambo said his players were demoralized after referee Mwayi Msungama failed to award them with a penalty in the first half.

“It was a very good game only that in the first half the referee frustrated us, we had a penalty but he didn’t give us, we had free-kicks but he decided not to give us. But that’s part of the game

“It was not his game [Isaac Msiska] we are hopeful that our players are playing well and we will rectify the problems when we return home,” said Chirambo.

Hammers started the game on a high note but their own boy, Chawangwa Gumbo punished them for being blunt in front of the goal in the 7th minute after being set up by Babatunde Adepoju.

The visitors kept on pressing Bullets, pinning them to play in their own half and forcing them to make several blunders.

Collin Mujuru made several mistakes at the back, allowing Hammers to have goal attempts, but they were not clinical enough to equalize. The visitors had their penalty appeal turned down by referee, Mwayi Msungama, and the goalkeeper’s trainer, Chawangwa was sent off for foul language on the referee.

Despite making changes in the second half, the Iron Boys couldn’t salvage a point as Bullets enjoyed possession towards the end of the game.