TNM Super League champions Big Bullets at the weekend hit their 60-point target after beating Mzuni FC 2-0 at Kamuzu Stadium in Blantyre.
Second-half goals by Henry Kabichi and Divason Mlozi ensured that the Bullets create a 13 points gap at the summit of the 15-team log table with 60 points and they remain with two games to wind up the fixtures.
Mzuni, who had arrived in the commercial city following four consecutive second-round wins, made a sparkling start with Wacheta Mwenifumbo and Brave Phiri surging forward with some defence-splitting runs before Bullets goalkeeper Owen Chaima came to the rescue.
Needing at least a point from this match to cement their hopes of avoiding relegation, the visitors, who are stuck on 11th place with 29 points from 26 games, relied on counter-attacks to hunt for the crucial point, but were caught off-guard by their experienced opponents.
Kabichi put Bullets in the lead six minutes into the second half with a thunderbolt from just outside the box. Substitute Mlozi made an immediate impact few minutes after replacing Mussa Manyenje when he headed home a well taken corner kick by Mc Farlen Ngwira in the 70th minute.
The corner-kick emanated from Chienda’s desperate attempt to save Msowoya’s thunderous shot. It continued to pour for Mzuni as two minutes later they were reduced to 10 men after Victor Gondwe was red-carded for a second bookable offence on Chande.
Be Forward Wanderers managed their first back-to-back victories in the second round with a resounding 3-1 win over relegated Fisd Wizards.
The Nomads surged ahead through Jabulani Linje’s strike in the 20th minute, but the rookies pulled level in 57th minute via Mike Mkwate. The Nomads regained the lead in the 67th minute through a penalty awarded after a foul on Linje which Alfred Manyozo Jnr converted.
And added time, Muhammad Sulumba struck the third for the Lali Lubani Road outfit with a powerful header to put the game beyond Wizards’ reach—it was end of the road for the rookies.
This was the Nomads’ first time to complete back-to-back wins in the second-round following their 2-0 win over Dedza Young Soccer last weekend.
They have moved up to fifth position from fourth with 39 points from 26 games. In Lilongwe, Epac kept their slim survival hopes alive when they beat Mafco 4-3 to move a place up to 13th with 27 points from 27 games. Mafco remain on second position with 47 points from 27 games.
Third and fourth-placed Blue Eagles and Silver Strikers played out a goalless draw. Eagles have 44 points from 26 games while the Bankers have 43 points from 27 games. Victor Mpinganjira’s 35th minute goal ensured 10th placed Civo United beat Moyale Barracks 1-0 at Civo Stadium in Lilongwe to put their tally to 34 point.