Rampant Bullets down Moyale to reclaim top spot

Bullets Reign Supreme, Decimate Moyale to Reclaim Apex

FCB Nyasa Big Bullets have unequivocally reclaimed the coveted summit of the log table following their magnificent 3-0 demolition of Moyale Barracks at the hallowed grounds of Kamuzu Stadium on Wednesday afternoon.

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A masterclass in offensive prowess saw Babatunde Adepoju outwit and outmaneuver his marker with breathtaking dexterity, setting the stage for Chikumbutso Salima to tap home the emphatic opener.

Not content with mere dominance, Sean McBrams then magnificently capitalized on another of Babatunde’s sublime deliveries, propelling the People’s Team to a commanding two-goal advantage before the half-time whistle.

The coup de grâce arrived in the second half, as Chawanangwa Gumbo sealed the triumphant victory with a strike of unyielding conviction.

With this resounding triumph, Bullets have now amassed a formidable 24 points from 9 games, effectively vaulting over Mighty Wanderers FC, who now trail with 22 points from 8 outings.

Their sights are now firmly set on the weekend’s monumental assignment, a clash against Silver Strikers in a grand celebration commemorating the First Capital Bank’s 30th Anniversary. Meanwhile, Moyale Barracks face the formidable challenge of Creck Sporting Club.

Babatunde orchestrates the onslaught

Fresh from a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Karonga United in the Airtel Top 8 Cup, Bullets entered this league encounter with an unwavering resolve for another colossal performance in a title race of unprecedented intensity.

Coach Peter Mponda, in a strategic masterstroke, implemented five pivotal changes, ushering in Innocent Nyasulu, Dominic Musonda, Sean McBrams, Mike Mkwate, and Yamikani Mologeni into the starting lineup.

Moyale Barracks, despite their previous resilience in holding Bullets in both legs last season, have endured a dismal streak, failing to secure a victory against the reigning champions in their last 8 encounters, suffering five defeats and salvaging three draws. Their last taste of glory against Bullets was in 2020, a solitary goal from Lloyd Njaliwa in Mzuzu marking that fleeting triumph.

The People’s Team initiated the proceedings with an unrelenting surge, Lloyd Aaron connecting with Chikumbutso Salima’s exquisite pass, though his potent effort narrowly veered off target.

Babatunde, despite playing a mere 44 minutes, was unanimously acclaimed as the player of the match, a testament to his profound and decisive impact. Maneno Nyoni of Moyale Barracks was burdened with the unenviable task of neutralizing the Nigerian forward, but the lanky attacker, a veritable force of nature imbued with blistering pace and indomitable power, proved utterly unstoppable.

Bullets shattered the deadlock just 11 minutes into the game with a blitzkrieg attack. A seamless transition from defense to attack unfolded in mere seconds; a precisely delivered long ball found Babatunde Adepoju on the right flank. The striker, with mesmerizing skill, eluded his marker before delivering an incisive ball across the face of goal, finding Chikumbutso Salima at the far end, who merely had to prod it home.

This marked Chikumbutso Salima’s 10th goal involvement in a mere 9 league games, a truly prodigious feat.

Innocent Nyasulu masterfully thwarted Nkhoma’s long-range effort, before Maneno Nyoni squandered a golden opportunity for Moyale Barracks from a corner kick.

Mike Mkwate nearly doubled the advantage after receiving the ball at the edge of the box, before Lloyd Aaron Banega unleashed an effort that sailed wide of Jeremiah Simfukwe’s right post.

Bullets magnified their lead in the 38th minute. While Sean McBrams claimed the credit for the goal, it was the sheer brilliance of Babatunde Adepoju who, with unparalleled finesse, dribbled past two defenders before delivering a deft cut-back to MacBrams in the penalty area, who ruthlessly dispatched it into the net.

With a commanding 2-0 lead at the interval, Peter Mponda executed four tactical substitutions, introducing Edward Thengo, Wongani Lungu, Hassan Kajoke, and Peter Banda in place of Dominic Musonda, Babatunde Adepoju, Sean McBrams, and Mike Mkwate.

The introduction of Peter Banda and Wongani Lungu fortified Bullets’ midfield dominance, leading to a plethora of chances from set-plays. Banda, marking his third auspicious debut in the TNM Super League, enticed Moyale’s defenders to contend with a free-kick before Hassan Kajoke unleashed an effort that whistled tantalizingly wide.

Chawanangwa Gumbo, replacing Frank Willard, then magnificently crowned his birthday celebrations by emphatically sealing the victory for Bullets. He unerringly collected the ball from Yamikani Mologeni before arrowing it past Simfukwe in the 78th minute, a strike of unadulterated brilliance.

Peter Banda very nearly secured a fourth goal when he unleashed a thunderous free-kick that Jeremiah Simfukwe saved with spectacular dexterity, and Chikumbutso Salima’s subsequent header soared over the crossbar.

Moyale’s aspirations crumble, top 5 eludes them

Moyale Barracks have now suffered two agonizing back-to-back defeats, entering this midweek fixture on the heels of another bitter 2-0 loss to their city rivals, Mzuzu City Hammers. The Lions of Kaning’ina had harbored lofty ambitions of stunning the high-flying Bullets and storming into the top 4 with 16 points.

However, following their second defeat of the season, they now languish in 7th position with 13 points from 8 games. Their drought continues, as they haven’t tasted victory since their triumph over Mafco FC in May.

Maneno Nyoni and Charles Nkhoma both attempted to conjure fleeting glimpses of brilliance, but ultimately, their efforts were met with unrelenting frustration. Nkhoma tried to bamboozle Nyasulu from the edge of the box after receiving a pass from Robert Mphenzi, but his effort lacked the requisite power.

In their misguided zeal to attack, they egregiously exposed their defense, allowing Babatunde Adepoju to exploit vast expanses of space, and he mercilessly punished them with a blistering counterattack to set up Salima for the opener.

Raphael Phiri forced Bullets’ defense to concede a corner, which, though promising, saw Maneno power his effort off target. Prichard Mwansa made the first tactical adjustment, withdrawing Walusungu Mdoka for Clever Kalambo after a mere 26 minutes.

Moyale conceded another goal of the same devastating variety, leaving gaping voids in their defense, allowing Babatunde Adepoju to surge forward with the ball for approximately 30 meters before delivering a pinpoint assist to McBrams, who clinically headed it home for the second goal.

Trailing at the break, Moyale elevated their performance in the second half, and they nearly snatched their first goal in the 48th minute. Lovemore Jere astutely spotted Nkhoma, whose effort narrowly went wide.

Clever Kalambo’s curling shot from the edge of the box sailed over the bar. However, in their fervent pursuit of a goal, they tragically conceded from Gumbo’s long-range missile.

Further desperate efforts proved futile, failing to alter the unyielding scoreline.

photos by Kimpho Loka/ Mike Zgambo