BB boot out Nomads in reserves’ battle
Nyasa Big Bullets Reserves yesterday beat rivals Be Forward Wanderers Reserves 4-2 on post-match penalties following a goalless draw in regulation time at Kamuzu Stadium in Blantyre yesterday to progress to the Southern Region semi-final of Fisd Challenge Cup.
Bullets converted their spot-kicks through Hassan Kajoke, Innocent Msowoya, Tony Biyasi and Charles Petro while Charles Manondo and Chikondi Gwetsani were on target for Wanderers Reserves. Aubrey Maloya saw his spot-kick saved by Bullets Reserve’s substitute goalkeeper Richard Mwayira while Andrew Jere’s penalty was denied by the post.
The development means Bullets have progressed to the regional semi-finals and they will face winners between Cobbe Barracks and Hangover at Balaka Stadium who meet this Saturday in Balaka.
Yesterday, Bullets Reserves dominated the first half with at least 12 shots at goal but their realistic chances came in the 36th and 42nd minutes when Chimwemwe Idana’s long-range strike hit the crossbar and Patrick Mwaungulu’s connection in the box went agonisingly wide.
In this segment, Wanderers Reserves had four clear chances, but the notable one was Wisdom Mpinganjira’s thunderbolt that bounced off the post in the 44th minute.
It was a balanced affair in the second half as both sides enjoyed possession and created a number of chances. However, they were mostly guilty of either shooting off target or their efforts were kept out by the goalkeepers.
Bullets could have taken the lead 12 minutes to time had substitute Biyasi not hit the ball into the palms of goalkeeper Joel Ngwira.
“We wasted numerous chances and I am disappointed with the overall performance of my charges. We will do our best to work on the finishing aspect in our next assignment,” said Bullets Reserve coach Enos Chatama.
His Wanderers Reserve counterpart Albert Mpinganjira said: “We had purposeful performance only that lack was not on our side. We accept defeat. Congratulations to Bullets Reserves.”
This was the second meeting of the two sides this year after settling for a one-all draw in the first-round of the Chitetezo Mbaula Southern Region Football Association (SRFA) League Premier Division. n
