Substitute striker Anthony Mfune’s late goal earned Nyasa Big Bullets a 2-1 win over Mighty Wanderers in a TNM Super League opening match at Kamuzu Stadium in Blantyre on Saturday afternoon.
The game seemed headed for a stalemate after Wanderers striker Vincent Nyangulu’s 78th minute header had canceled out Chimwemwe Idana’s 16th minute strike for Bullets.
However, Wanderers celebration lasted just five minutes as Mfune snatched the late winner in the 83rd minute for Bullets to start the title defence on a sound note.
Bullets started the game on a patient note, playing on the break while Wanderers struggled to play with any semblance of rhythm as they kept hooping balls aimlessly forward.
In a rare counterattack, Bullets made the most of it. Idana volleyed a cut-back from Henry Kabichi’s corner-kick into the net.
Idana’s ball was so powerful Wanderers midfielder Felix Zulu tried to clear the ball only to escort it into the net.
In the second half, substitute Isaac Kaliati made a speculative scoring attempt, jumping at the backpost hoping to meet a ball from the right wing, but he missed the flight of the ball.
Bullets made changes with Mischeck Selemani making way for McFarlen Mgwira whereas Ernest Petro replaced Blessings Mpokera before Mfune stepped in Lanjesi Nkhoma’s shoes.
The changes for Bullets nearly paid dividends as Mgwira crossed the ball across Wanderers goalmouth for Babatunde Adepoju to sweep the ball into the net but the referee ruled the effort offside in the 68th minute.
Wanderers grabbed an equalizer through Nyangulu’s header from left-back Ted Sumani’s corner kick from the right wing.
Bullets defender Hadji Wali tried to clear the ball from the header but by that time, it had already crossed the goaline.
Bullets restored their lead in the 82nd minutes when Babatunde floated a long ball onto the channel where substitute Mfune volleyed the ball into the roof of the net beating goalkeeper Mapila at the near post with sheer power.
In a post-match interview, Wanderers coach Eddington Ng’onamo felt a draw should have been a fair result.
“We had the chances but finish was a problem. A fair result should have been a draw,” he said.
Bullets coach Kalisto Pasuwa said he was impressed with the way his young team managed the game on the defensive and offensive side.
Bullets: Richard Chimbamba, Gomezgani Chirwa, Hadji Wali, Kesten Simbi, Precious Sambani, Blessings Mpokera (Ernest Petro), Mischeck Selemani (McFarlen Mgwira), Henry Kabichi, Chimwemwe Idana, Babatunde Adepoju, Lanjesi Nkhoma
Wanderers: Pilirani Mapira, Peter Cholopi, Ted Sumani, Miracle Gabeya, Stanley Sanudi, Alfred Manyozo Junior, Vitumbiko Kumwenda (Wisdom Mpinganjira), Felix Zulu, Yamikani Chester (Isaac Kaliyati), Chiukepo Msowoya, Vincent Nyangulu
Referee: Alfred Kaphamtengo