By Antony Isaiah Jr
Stars failed to shine against Bullets in their backyard as TN Stars suffer their 7th defeat of the 2022 TNM Super League season.
The People's team beat the Nguluyanawambe boys by two goals to nill at Kasungu Stadium to go top of the 2022 TNM Super League's table.
Patrick Mwaungulu scored his first brace for the defending champions since his promotion from the reserve team taking his tally to 3 this season.
Kalisto Pasuwa maintained the team that beat Red Lions in their previous game with only one change as Anthony Mfune replaced Lanjesi Nkhoma.
So too with Kondwani Toots Mwalweni, Frank Chizuze was given the chance to start the game in place of Blackson Saka from the team that beat Rumphi United last week.
The People's started the game to get the early goal but Blackson Kotei was very active between the sticks to deny the Bullets from getting their early goal.
Philip Banda, Mphatso Dzongololo, and Frank Chizuze for TN Stars were shining in midfield over Mpokera, Idana, and Ernest Petro in the first half but their Strikers were not aggressive enough to break the deadlock.
There was a penalty appeal from the home side when their striker, Alfred Chizinga went down in the penalty area as he was battling for the ball against Kesten Simbi. TN Stars players appealed it to the referee Kondwani Kamwendo but he turned a deaf ear.
TN Stars came close to finding an opener when Alexander Cosmas' header kissed Richard Chimbamba's upright post after being set by Frank Chizuze.
In 25 Minutes, the so-called Patrick Mwaungulu put the visitors in front with a hammer shot from the edge of the box that left Stars' goalminder, Blackson Kotei no option.
At the exact half-hour mark, Stars came close to equalizing when Chizuze got better of Precious Sambani on the right side before sending a cross that found Alfred Chizinga unmarked in the penalty area, he missed the chance while Chimbamba was already beaten.
In 33 minutes, the Bullets appealed for a Penalty when their Nigerian forward, Babatunde Adepoju brought down in the 18-yard area but again Kondwani Kamwendo said nothing happened.
Patrick Mwaungulu doubled the lead on 35 minutes when he received a superb pass from the right flank where their pacy full-back was operating from.
Chimwemwe Gattuso Idana spotted Chirwa in space the latter outsmarted Martin Msewa with pace before sending a beautiful cross that found Mwangulu unmarked who calmly scored imperiously to give Bullets a 2 goal advantage.
Kalisto Pasuwa sensed danger as Precious Sambani who was not on top of his game paved way for Alick Lungu as the left-back. Mishecki Seleman too brought in for misfiring Anthony Mfune.
The first half ended 2-0 in favor of the visitors.
In the second half, TN Stars were a team when they were able to control the game in the midfield but their forward players were not sharp enough to break the deadlock.
Bicmack Agyekum from Ghana made his first appearance for TN Stars when he replaced the talented winger, Frank Chizuze at halftime.
Shukurani Afiki and China Chirwa replaced Symon Chimenya and Philip Banda for the Kasungu-based side after 5 minutes in the second half.
At 76 minutes of the game, Kalisto Pasuwa decided to rest his two engines, Chimwemwe Idana and Gomezgani Chirwa when he introduced Precious Phiri and the veteran midfielder, Henry Kabitchi.
In the 80th minute, Richard Chimbamba produced a world-class save to deny China Chirwa's effort from finding the back of the net that could reduce the arrears.
In the 88th minute, Thomson Magombo was given time to run when he came on for their playmaker, Ernest Petro.
The game ended in favor of the People's team.
In post-match interviews, Nyasa Big Bullets mentor, Kalisto Pasuwa was happy with the results.
"We played our best game in the first half but in the second half, we were not on top of our notch. The goodness is that we managed to find two goals in the first half and we defended well.
"In the second half, we allowed the opponents to play their game, keeping the ball which is not allowed in football. My charges are youngsters and they will improve," said the Zimbabwean.
His counterpart, Honest Nkhwazi assistant coach for TN Stars acknowledged the defeat.
"We played well but we have a youthful squad so they are yet to get used to the Super League pressure, but we accept the defeat," said Nkhwazi.
Following the win, Nyasa Big Bullets have opened a 2 points gap over Blue Eagles. The reigning champions have collected 29 points from 11 games and they are yet to taste a defeat while Blue Eagles have 27 points from the same number of games.
TN Stars remain 15th on the table with 8 points from 11 games.
Elsewhere, Muhammad Sulumba netted twice in the second against Rumphi United in a game that Mighty Wanderers slaughtered the rookies, Rumphi United by 4 goals to nill at Rumphi Stadium.
Stanley Saudi and Mishek Botoman scored one each in the first half.
Wanderers are going home, (Blantyre) with 6 points since they beat Ekwendeni Hammers on Saturday afternoon. They now move to 3rd on the table with 19 points from 10 games, 10 points behind the leaders, and their arch-rivals Nyasa Big Bullets who have played a game more.
Rumphi United sits 14th on the log with 9 points from 9 games.
In Mzuzu, Charles Chipala's brace was enough to take his team, Dedza Dynamons back to the winning ways as they beat Moyale Barracks. Lloyd Njaliwa was on the score sheet for the Lions of Kaning’ina.
In Mulanje, Silver came from behind to earn a point against Sable Farming. Madalitso Chiume gave the Chiradzulu-based farmers a lead in the first half before Christopher Gototo doubled the lead in the second half but Hardy Ng'andu and Stain Davie responded quickly for the Bankers.
Silver is on number 6 with 16 points from 10 games while Sable remains in the danger zone with 6 points from 10 games.
