By McLloyd Kudzingo
League leaders FCB Nyasa Big Bullets extended their lead at the top of the TNM Super League log table, registering their first ever win at Dedza Stadium against Premier Bet Dedza Dynamos as they beat them 1-0 on Kamuzu Day.
Chikumbutso Salima scored the only goal of the match just a minute before the end of the regulation time after receiving an assist from Babatunde Adepoju.
The People’s team had their first opportunity of the match, 9 minutes from kick-off, when Salima found Wongani Lungu in the box but his shot went over the cross bar.
Lungu had another chance to put the visitors in front through a free kick just a few centimetres from the penalty box but again the midfielder failed to utilise the opportunity.
Babatunde Adepoju who replaced Maxwell Phodo, almost made it 1-nil in the 38th minute but his header from a Chawanangwa Gumbo’s cross went slightly over the cross bar.
Three minutes before half time, Frank Sanudi managed to beat Bullets goalkeeper Richard Chimbamba but his effort was denied by the upright.
In the second half, Dedza made two substitutions, introducing Tayan Phiri and Yasin Chida for Peter Ademoje and Friday Osaji.
The visitors on the other hand, introduced Hassan Kajoke for Wongani Lungu and later Ephraim Kondowe and Ernest Petro were introduced for Hassan Kajoke and Andrew Jovinala. Dedza also substituted Frank Sanudi for Dan Mponya.
Despite the changes, both sides failed to create enough scoring opportunities except for a few from Dedza’s Gift Magola and Bullets’ Babatunde Adepoju whose goal in the 66th minute was ruled out for an offside.
After Bullets’ goal in the 89th minute Dedza’s Ochaya Okoti received a red card a minute later, following a second yellow card after receiving another card in the 67th minute.
After the match, Chikumbutso Salima was voted as man of the match.
Bullets have now accumulated 12 points after winning all their four games so far this season while Dedza remain on position 7 with 6 points from five games.
There will be two games on Thursday as rookies Songwe United who are anchoring the log table, play defending champions Silver Strikers at Karonga Stadium.
Mighty Mukuru Wanderers who are on position 5 on the log table, will host Mafco FC at Kamuzu Stadium.
On Saturday, Kamuzu Barracks who are perched on position 6 will be at Champion Stadium, hosting league debutants Ekhaya FC who are on second position on the log table.
The matches continue on Sunday with FCB Nyasa Big Bullets hosting Chitipa United at Kamuzu Stadium as Creck Sporting hosts Mighty Wanderers at Champion Stadium.
Premier Bet Dedza Dynamos will be looking forward to reverse their fortunes as they host Karonga United at Dedza Stadium.
