Moses Banda the Hero as Civil Upset Bullets at Civo

Civil Service United captain, Moses Banda, netted an 87th-minute winner to pull the Civil Servants out of the relegation zone as they stunned TNM Super League leaders, FCB Nyasa Big Bullets, with a 2-1 victory at the Civo Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

The two sides played out a cagey first half that yielded no goals, but just five minutes into the second half, John Dambuleni fired the hosts in front. However, the lead was short-lived, as substitute Ephraim Kondowe leveled the scores with his first touch — before Banda rose highest to head home the winner and seal all three points.

It was a tight contest in the opening 10 minutes, with both teams probing for a breakthrough. Hassan Kajoke blasted his effort over the bar in the 12th minute after being played through in the box, while Blessings Malinda fired straight at Richard Chimbamba on the half-hour mark.

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Bullets coach Peter Mponda made an early change, introducing Lameck Gamphani for Kajoke in the 38th minute. Chikaiko Batson then squandered a glorious one-on-one chance, firing over the bar, and Wongani Lungu came close again in added time but sent his effort just wide.

The breakthrough for the hosts came in the 50th minute after Dambuleni capitalised on a defensive lapse inside the six-yard box. Bullets responded with a double substitution — bringing on Ernest Petro and Ephraim Kondowe for Yamikani Mologeni and Lungu — and it paid off immediately as Kondowe smashed home the equaliser in the 57th minute from close range.

Malinda missed a golden opportunity in the 64th minute after being teed up by Batson, and Charles Mafaiti hit the side post with a curling free kick shortly after. Maxwell Gasten Phodo had a go as well, but his effort was saved — and from the rebound, three Bullets players failed to turn the ball in.

Paul Master replaced Gamphani with 12 minutes left on the clock, while Muhammad Biason came on for Frank Chizuze. Dustan Banda also paved the way for Khumbo Banda.

Then came the moment of magic — Malinda whipped in a well-taken corner and skipper Moses Banda made no mistake, powering in a header to clinch the win for the Civil Servants.

Civil coach Abbas Makawa was delighted with the result and praised his side’s execution.

“We’ve been playing good football, only lacking the killer punch. Today, we created a lot of chances and could have scored three or four. We studied their strengths and weaknesses and worked on them — I’m very happy with the win,” said Makawa.

On the other hand, Bullets head coach Peter Mponda was left frustrated by his side’s display.

“I’m disappointed with how the boys played. We failed to control the game, and there was no fighting spirit. Our opponents capitalised on that — congratulations to them,” said Mponda.

The victory lifts Civil from 14th to 11th on the log with 13 points from 11 games — three wins, four draws, and four losses — while Bullets remain top with 27 points from nine wins and two defeats.