BB booted out

It never rains, but it pours for Nyasa Big Bullets who were left searching their souls yet again on Sunday when they were booted out of the Airtel Top 8 showpiece after being held to a goalless draw by Silver Strikers at Mulanje Park to bow out 0-1 on aggregate.

Worse still, Bullets extended their goal drought to four games, translating to 360 minutes.

They needed to win yesterday’s tie by a two-goal margin, or at least 1-0, to force the match into post-match penalties, but it wasn’t to be as the Reserve Bank of Malawi Lilongwe-based (RBM)-sponsored side held on to their nerve in a match that failed to stir passions.

There were tears of joy for the Bankers and tears of despair for Bullets after the final whistle.

Silver will now face fellow capital city side Kamuzu Barracks FC away while Blantyre-based Be Forward Wanderers will host Moyale Barracks of Mzuzu in the semis following a draw which was conducted at half time yesterday.

But the tournament’s organisers, Football Association of Malawi (FAM), said the dates and venues for the semi-final ties will be announced in due course

There was not much to write about in this highly physical and temperamental game except for Silver’s disallowed second half goal in the 57th minute from diminutive forward Green Harawa. The referee ruled it out for off-side.

Bullets played under pressure and committed a lot of blunders and as frustration took its toll, they resorted to a kick-and-run game.

While congratulating Silver for the triumph, Bullets coach Nsanzurwimo Ramadhan had no kind words for the referee Mischeck Juba, describing the officiation as “very poor”.

“The referee was hopeless, he is not even supposed to be officiating a big game like this one, but in the first division. ,” charged a visibly annoyed Ramadhan.

On his part, Silver assistant coach Lovemore Fazili said: “We are extremely happy with the win.

“We had planned to hold them in the first half  and then finish them off in the second half.

“Nevertheless, what is important is that we have qualified for the semi-finals.”