Eddie Chikamhi
Senior Sports Reporter
ZIMBABWEAN coach Kalisto Pasuwa wrote a new piece of history yesterday when he led Nyasa Big Bullets to a fifth consecutive league title in Malawi’s TNM Super League.
Bullets, who have dominated the Malawian championship since Pasuwa’s arrival in 2018, reached the new milestone following a 1-1 draw against Dutchman Hendrik Pieter de Jongh’s Silver Strikers at Kamuzu Stadium yesterday.
Crucially for Pasuwa, who had a remarkable four-peat with Zimbabwean giants Dynamos between 2011 and 2014, this was a new record ninth league championship in as many seasons as coach.
His Bullets maintained a three-point advantage over closest rivals Silver Strikers, who needed to win by a big margin of at least 4-0 yesterday to overturn the tables.
Eventually, Big Bullets finished on 60 points while Silver Strikers were on 57. Mighty Mukuru Wanderers – who are under the guidance of British journeyman coach Mark Harrison – ended in third place with 55 points following the 1-0 defeat to 10-men Civo United in their last game yesterday.
Both de Jongh and Harrison have also coached in Zimbabwe before, with the Dutchman having stints at Highlanders and FC Platinum. Harrison coached CAPS United and Harare City.
Against the odds, Pasuwa emerged tops, having endured a difficult month in which they had gone four matches without winning and collecting a paltry three points from a possible 12.
As for De Jongh’s charges, three wins on the trot brought them to within three points of the champions. Their narrow 2-1 win over Kamuzu Barracks brought them back into the title contention on the same day that Bullets lost 1-0 to Dedza Dynamos, and enduring a four-match winless run.
Silver Strikers still cherished hopes of staging an incredible comeback going into yesterday’s match.
The match was a tactical battle, with both teams showcasing their strengths.
“The boys know how far they have come from. How it was difficult for them to get where they are today, and I think, to the majority of the players, they have been waiting for this game,” said Pasuwa.
“I am proud of my players.”