BY MABVUTO KAMBUWE:
A Patrick Phiri spectacular free kick made the difference as Nyasa Big Bullets defeated Mafco 1-0 at Kasungu Stadium Sunday to return to the top of the TNM Super League log table.
Phiri used his left foot to curl the ball into the top corner of the Mafco goal from the edge of the box, beating Mafco goalkeeper Patrick Njolomole in the 55th minute of the match.
The victory means Bullets have ascended to the summit of the log table with 32 points from 14 games, just one above second-placed Silver Strikers.
Bullets return to their Blantyre base having collected four points from the two games they played in the Central Region, having held then leaders Silver to a barren draw at Silver Stadium in Lilongwe on Saturday.
The result left the Salima-based soldiers stuck in the relegation zone, with 11 points from 14 games.
They only moved from the bottom of the table after their 2-1 win over Moyale on Saturday at the same venue.
Mafco acting Coach, Tione Mhone, said he was disappointed with the result.
“The loss is painful because Bullets were not better than us. Their goal came from a freekick which should not have been given,” Mhone said.
Bullets Head Coach, Rodgers Yasin, said his charges did not play their usual game.
“I think the players underrated Mafco, so that made life difficult for us,” Yasin said.
Bullets wind up their first round assignments with a match against Blue Eagles while Mafco will face defending champions Be Forward Wanderers.
At Nankhaka Stadium, Eagles bounced back to winning ways after beating Kamuzu Barracks 1-0, courtesy of Gilbert Chirwa’s goal.
The cops have moved up to position five with 20 points from 13 games.
In Mzuzu, Mike Teteh continued with his impressive form when he hammered a brace as Mzuni defeated TN Stars 2-0.
Following the win, Mzuni have moved up to 13th with 14 points from 14 games.
Starting lineups: Mafco—Njolomole, Khozomba, Banda, Maloya, Chafewa, Malunga, Masoatheka, Nkhonjera, Sichinga, Luhanga.
Bullets—Chiyenda, Lanjesi (C), Mkandawire, Fodya, Kabichi, Kangunje, Kondowe, Banda, Phiri, Msowoya, Munthali.
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