By McLloyd Kudzingo
Chitipa United have branded themselves as the giant killers in the TNM Super League as they deservedly beat defending champions FCB Nyasa Big Bullets 1-0 at Karonga Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
The McDonald Mtetemera-coached side beat Mighty Mukuru Wanderers 1-0 away at Kamuzu Stadium last weekend before edging Bullets by the same margin at home, seven days later.
Before Saturday’s defeat, the People’s team were unbeaten in the league after playing seven games.
However on Saturday, Chitipa looked more determined to cause yet another upset for the Blantyre giants as they dominated possession especially in the second half.
Rajab Nyirenda’s brilliant free kick in the 52nd minute proved decisive as it forced Collins Okumu to head into his own net and grant Chitipa their first ever victory against Bullets who are currently leading the super league log table with 17 points.
After the match, Chitipa United captain Chris Lwemba was voted man of the match for a third consecutive week.
To the People’s team, this was a painful reminder of their super league match against Karonga United in June 2016, when Hygiene Mwendepeka left it late to claim the famous 1-0 victory for the Karonga-based side.
Bullets’ loss has brightened Silver Strikers’ chances of leading the standings as they look forward to go top if they win against Kamuzu Barracks on Sunday.
In Blantyre, Bangwe All Stars piled more misery on Red Lions as they inflicted a third consecutive defeat on the Zomba-based soldiers with a 2-0 win at Mpira Stadium.
Both Bangwe and Red Lions were coming into this game from heavy defeats as they were beaten 4-1 and 4-0 by Silver Strikers and FCB Nyasa Big Bullets last weekend respectively.
On Saturday, the Bangwe-based side looked more hungry to collect maximum points as they created a number of scoring opportunities in the first half but lacked a killer punch up front.
Robert Saizi broke the deadlock as he scored for Bangwe in the 42nd minute after receiving a pass from Friday Osagie, before beating two Red Lions defenders and hit the back of the net past goalkeeper Nenani Juwaya.
James Tambwali increased the lead for the home side just 7 minutes in the second half as he finished with a simple tap in yet another assist by the Nigerian midfielder Friday Osagie.
At Chitowe Stadium in Dwangwa, Mafco FC were 1-nil winners against their fellow soldiers Moyale Barracks courtesy of Dan Chimbalanga’s 55th minute goal.
In another match played on Saturday, Chikondi Mvula scored the only goal of the match as Blue Eagles beat bottom placed Extreme FC 1-0 at Nankhaka Stadium.
Extreme FC remain bottom on the log table with two points from eight games, two points behind Red Lions who are perched on 15th position.
