By Staff Reporter
Nyasa Big Bullets came away with a point but failed to secure the victory they needed to increase their lead in the TNM Super League as they gave away the lead twice in an attritional 2-2 draw against Silver Strikers played at Bingu National Stadium on Sunday.
The central bankers played very well and controlled the match in both halves but it was the visitors who scored first just two minutes into the game through Anthony Mfune’s powerful strike.
After missing several scoring opportunities in the first half, Silver equalised from the penalty spot just a minute in the second half after Bullets’ defender Blessings Mpokera committed a foul on Patrick Macheso in the penalty box.
Bullets restored the lead three minutes later through Patrick Mwaungulu’s long-range shot which proved to be too strong for Silver’s goalkeeper Charles Thom.
Patrick Macheso levelled the scores for the central bankers again in the 66th minute with a cool finish after receiving a pass from Stain Davie.
Tempers flared towards the end of match as Silver Strikers’ Innocent Shema was red carded after he deliberately kicked Anthony Mfune, just three minutes before the end of the match. Nyasa Big Bullets’ official, James Chilapondwa was also shown a red card for attacking a match official.
In other matches played on Sunday, Blue Eagles dropped three points as they were beaten 1-nil by Ekwendeni Hammers at Mzuzu Stadium. Chawanangwa Gumbo scored the only goal of the match.
Elsewhere, Kasungu based TN Stars came from behind to beat Mafco FC 2-1 in a match played at Kasungu Stadium. Sammy Phiri claimed a brace while Tonny Mbulu scored Mafco’s consolation.
In Dedza, Dedza Dynamos and Moyale Barracks played out to a 1-all draw with Clement Nyondo and Raphael Phiri scoring for Dedza and Moyale respectively.
Karonga United ended their miserable trip in the Southern region with a 1-all draw against Tigers FC at Mpira Stadium. George Chaomba scored for Tigers while Richard Mbuna scored for Ingwina who lost 1-nil against Sable Farming on Saturday.
With Sunday’s results, Bullets remain at the summit with 57 points followed by Blue Eagles who have so far accumulated 49 points from 23 games just like the People’s team.
Kamuzu Barracks are on third position with 48 points from 25 games followed by Mighty Mukuru Wanderers who have 41 points after playing 22 games.
Babatunde Adepoju of Nyasa Big Bullets, Silver Strikers’ Chawanangwa Kaonga and Raphael Phiri of Moyale Barracks are the current leading scorers with 12 goals.