2018 season ends with Big Bullets crowning

By Mphatso Malidadi:

Having walked on a long, winding road through the 2018 season, Nyasa Big Bullets were finally crowned TNM Super League champions after staging a comeback to defeat Civil Sporting Club 2-1 at Kamuzu Stadium Monday.

Bullets secured the title about two weeks ago when they beat Red Lions 3-0 at Balaka Stadium, effectively condemning the soldiers to the second tier Southern Region Football Association League’s Premier Division.

Civil, in an act of sportsmanship, humbled themselves and accorded Bullets a guard of honour after Silver Strikers declined to do the same in a midweek fixture last week.

However, Civil threatened to spoil Bullets’ coronation party when they took the lead through Innocent Tanganyika’s clever finish two minutes into added time of the first half.

It was clear that the game lacked pace and flair as both teams had nothing to fight for.

Nevertheless, Bullets restored order through substitute Hasan Kajooke, who converted in the 49th minute.

Kajoke claimed a brace from the penalty spot after fellow substitute MacFarlen Mgwira was tripped in the 18-yard box seven minutes to full time.

Bullets’ Zimbabwean mentor, Kallisto Pasuwa, who looks set to be offered a year-long contract after delivering the championship, said his players were outstanding.

“The players did their best despite being tired after a long season and it is good that we have won [the game],” Pasuwa said.

Civil Coach, Franco Ndawa, said his troops were affected by Bullets’ second goal.

“The second goal should not have stood. It was not a clear penalty. But, any way, they deserve the party as champions and we accorded them the guard of honour as was expected of us,” Ndawa said.