Nyasa Big Bullets launched their title defence yesterday with a 2-1 win over their arch-rivals Mighty Wanderers at Kamuzu Stadium in Blantyre

At 80 minutes, Nyasa Big Bullets were under pressure following a Vincent Nyangulu equaliser that came in the 78th minute after Bullets took the lead through Chimwemwe Idana in the 16th minute.

Mfune celebrates after scoring the winning goal

Buoyed by the goal, Wanderers substituted defender Peter Cholopi for striker Muhammad Sulumba in search of the winning goal.

Bullets coach Kalisto Pasuwa also substituted Lanjesi Nkhoma for Anthony Mfune in the 80th minute.

Just 80 seconds into the game, Mfune received a pass down the left flank, charging towards Wanderers  goalkeeper Pilirani Mapira. He controlled the ball and deftly chipped it past the goalkeeper to restore Bullets lead to 2-1.

That was how the defending champions collected maximum points in the TNM Super League of Malawi opener match to the delight of their head coach Pasuwa.

“I saw the opposition they pulled off a defender [with] a striker and what was the use of me putting on a defender? We were to go to them, they were one man down in defence and we utilise those spaces,” he said.

Wanderers’ assistant coach Joseph Kamwendo said his charges did everything possible to win the game.

Gabeya consoles goalkeeper Mapira after the loss

“We pushed to the limit, but it was not our day. Congratulations to Bullets for the win but if we talk of the performance, then Wanderers had a good game today,” he said.

Overall, Wanderers dominated at the beginning of the first half, but lost direction after 14 minutes.

It was Bullets who had the opener in the 16th minute when Idana’s shot bounced off defender Ted Sumani into the net.

In the first half, Wanderers had two shots off target and no shot on target while Bullets had one shot from Idana with three off target.

Wanderers started the second half on a high note after Isaac Kaliati and Wisdom Mpinganjira substituted Yamikani Chester and Vitumbiko Kumwenda, respectively.

Sensing danger Pasuwa, substituted Blessings Mpokera and Misheck Seleman for Ernest Petro and MacPharen Mgwira respectively.

There was not much to write home about until Nyangulu equalised.

Last season, Wanderers collected four points from Bullets after a one 1-1 draw in the first round and 1-0 victory in the second round.

Other results played yesterday, Karonga United lost 1-3 at home to Kamuzu Barracks while Ekwendeni Hammers won 2-0 to visitors TN Stars.

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