Match Report: Karonga 2-1 Bullets

FCB Nyasa Big Bullets suffered a second defeat in the 2024 TNM Super League after surrendering a lead to lose 2-1 to Karonga United at the Karonga Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

After our comfortable 3-0 win over FOMO FC in midweek, Kalisto Pasuwa’s men were hoping for another victory. They took the lead in the 28th minute through Babatunde Adepoju, but the home side fought back to secure their second win over The People’s Team in the last seven meetings.

What happened

Pasuwa made three changes to the team that won in Blantyre on Wednesday, with Sean McBrams handed his first starting place, while Yamikani Mologeni and Yankho Singo also returned to the first team.

It was a promising start for Lloyd Aaron, who won the midfield battle against Nanison Mbewe in the opening minutes of the game.

However, Bullets had trouble adjusting to the dry field and could barely complete more than five passes, with most of the action consisting of secondary balls from both teams.

There were no serious attempts to score from either side in the first twenty minutes until Babatunde came close after Chikumbutso Salima found him in the penalty area, but the Nigerian forward fired his shot over the bar.

At the other end, Karonga were awarded two corner kicks in a row, which were excellently dealt with by goalkeeper Innocent Nyasulu.

With 24 minutes left on the clock, Blessings Mwalilino had the chance to punish the visitors as he approached the penalty area. Fortunately for us, his shot narrowly missed Nyasulu’s left post.

The reigning champions broke the deadlock two minutes before the half hour mark, with Babatunde taking advantage of a defensive error by the hosts and volleying past the defenceless McLean Mwale, 0-1.

Pasuwa made the first substitution of the match in the 36th minute, bringing on Chrispin Mapemba to replace McBrams, who was unable to cope with the conditions on the bumpy pitch at Karonga Stadium.

Baba’s goal should have given Bullets more to do, but Pasuwa’s men started playing too deep, which put pressure on the home side. The home side pressed from all sides for the equalizer, which was scored just before half-time.

A cross from Pilirani Thulu caught our central defenders off guard and there was no one to force the ball through. The ball landed straight at Karonga’s dangerous man Saulos Moyo, who made no mistake and headed the ball past Nyasulu into the bottom left corner: 1-1.

After the break, Blessings Mpokera replaced Mologeni as Pasuwa made his third substitution. The visitors were awarded two back-to-back corners which were not converted.

With just over an hour of play, Babatunde had a chance to restore our lead, but his effort went past Mwale and landed at the other end of the pitch, where Mapemba was ready to strike. His cross, however, went straight at Mwale.

Substitute Robert Luhanga, who came on for Kasto Kayuni and Moyo alongside Nuswe Mwalilino, made an immediate impact for the hosts when he set up Mwalilino in the box to beat our offside trap and the forward wasted no time in firing past Nyasulu to make it 2-1 on 69 minutes.

Three minutes later, when Babatunde had a clear view, the bullets should have fallen, but he shot straight at Mwale in the five-yard box.

Pasuwa brought on Stanley Billiat and Hassan Kajoke for Maxwell Phodo and Precious Sambani in an attempt to score an equaliser, but the home side were involved throughout and defended with all their might to frustrate the visitors.

At the other end, Mwalilino was faced with an attack from Nyasulu, as the Bullets defence was outpaced by the high-pressing Karonga. From the rebound, Luhanga was awarded a free-kick after bringing down Nickson Nyasulu in the penalty area.

In the 85th minute, a cross from Mpokera almost caused chaos in the Karonga penalty area, but Kajoke was unable to get out of his comfort zone in time and allowed Nangie Songa to clear the ball in time.

By this stage the signs of another defeat were visible and in the 86th minute it was almost there: Mwalilino had decided the match. Luhanga saw him in the penalty area, but because Nyasulu was already beaten, he shot wide.

Three minutes were added to the clock and Bullets put everyone ahead, but a goal was not in the cards. The home team defended with all their might to secure all the points.

What it means

This is our second defeat this season after losing 1-0 to league leaders Silver Strikers at Kamuzu Stadium in June.

Sunday’s loss leaves us 16 points behind the Central Bankers, who won 1-0 at home to FOMO that same afternoon.

Look forward to something

Bullets return to Blantyre and focus on the FDH Bank Cup, where their rivals Mighty Mukuru Wanderers await them in the round of 16 at Kamuzu Stadium next Sunday.