The elite TNM Super League title pursuit looks certain to go down to the wire after leaders Nyasa Big Bullets dropped points to leave second-placed Silver Strikers just one point away.
Bullets saw their three-point cushion over Silver shrink after a 1-1 draw against Mafco on Wednesday afternoon at Kamuzu Stadium in Blantyre whereas Silver responded by beating Ntopwa 3-0 on the same afternoon in Lilongwe.
Defender Stain Malata put Mafco ahead with a header from a corner kick in the 10th minute before Nigerian frontman Babatunde Adepoju equalised for Bullets in the 35th minute.
Bullets lead the16-member log table with 56 points from 27 games whereas Silver moved to 55 points from 28 games following their win over the relegation-bound Ntopwa.
Striker Stain Davie, midfielders Frank Banda and Blessings Tembo scored for Silver at Nankhaka Ground.
The Dan Kabwe-coached Silver finish the season by playing against Ekwendeni Hammers and Moyale Barracks whereas Bullets face Be Forward Wanderers, Karonga United and Kamuzu Barracks.
Bullets have a tougher run-in considering that teams such as Wanderers, who they meet on Sunday, are also in the title race after they edged Mighty Tigers 1-0 via defender Peter Cholopi’s goal on Wednesday to make it 48 points from 26 games.
Bullets coach Kalisto made five changes to the starting XI that lost 3-1 to AmaZulu in the CAF Champions League preliminary round second leg match in Lilongwe.
Defenders Yamikani Fodya, Blessings Mpokera, strikers Bright Munthali, Zicco Mkanda and winger Precious Phiri started ahead of Chimango Kayira, Miracle Gabeya, Sankhani Mkandawire, McFarlen Mgwira, Gomezgani Chirwa.
However, the changes had a little impact on Pasuwa who is chasing a third straight league title in his reign at Bullets and make it seven on the trot from his time back home in Zimbabwe.
Bullets starting XI: Richard Chimbamba, Nixon Nyasulu, Chimwemwe Idana, Yamikani Fodya, Blessings Mpokera, Bright Munthali, Zicco Mkanda, Precious Phiri, Henry Kabichi, Hassan Kajoke, Babatunde Adepoju