Big Bullets make final top 8 call
Nyasa Big Bullets on Saturday won the Airtel Top 8 following a 5-3 post-match penalties victory over Silver Strikers at Kamuzu Stadium.
The match ended one-all in regulation time.
The result does not only mean Bullets have added a second silverware on their mantelpiece after their TNM Super League title defence, it also ended their four-year cup competitions drought as their last was in 2017 when they lifted the Carlsberg Cup.
Bullets coach Kallisto Pasuwa said he was happy to have lifted the Airtel trophy after missing it in 2018 when they went down 1-0 to Blue Eagles.
“We are happy that finally we have won a cup final after a long drought. Personally, it also feels great that I have managed to add a cup glory on my CV at The People’s Team,” he said.
On Saturday, Silver pressed with intensity from the first whistle and it paid off in the ninth minute when they scored through striker Stain Davie.
He put the Central Bankers ahead with a sublime diving header from an almost impossible angle when he connected home a Frank Banda’s swinging cross from the left flank.
The ball seemed to be heading straight into the palms of Bullets goalkeeper Ernest Kakhobwe when, in a flash, Davie appeared near the goal-post to head the ball into the bottom corner.
Bullets restored parity seven minutes later through Lanjesi Nkhoma. He was left unmarked on the left flank where he lurched to a loose ball, ran with it into the box and hit a long drive that whizzed inches past Silver goal-minder Charles Thom.
From then, Bullets took control before the first-half ended one-all. Within the period, they had at least five dangerous attacks at goal against Silver’s two.
It was a balanced affair in the second-half as both sides launched numerous attacks that failed to produce the much-needed goals but seemingly caused some quakes in the hearts of the cheering supporters. And one of the most agonising misses in this half was Bullets midfielder Precious Phiri’s long-range effort that bounced off the crossbar just three minutes to time.
Then, the game went straight into the dreaded post-match penalties. Bullets converted their spot-kicks through Yamikani Fodya, Zicco Mkanda, captain Chimwemwe Idana, Gomezgani Chirwa and Nixon Nyasulu. Levison Maganizo spoiled the show for Silver after his effort was saved. Frank Banda, Davie and Innocent Nhlema scored.
Pasuwa admitted that it was not an easy road to victory as Silver gave them a tough time on the field.
“This game was 50-50. We conceded early, but we had a lot of clear cut chances that we couldn’t convert into goals. It was very tactical. All the same, it’s good to be the champions,” he said.
Silver assistant coach McDonald Yobe, whose side won the FDH Cup recently, said although they were disappointed with their unsuccessful cup defence bid, they were delighted with the overall performance of their players.
“We are disappointed but we tried hard. Penalties are a gamble. We will try again next season,” he said.
Bullets’ Nigerian striker Babatunde Adepoju, who was serving a suspension for accumulating two yellow cards, has secured the tournament’s golden-boot. His eight goals proved insurmountable. Nkhoma capped Bullets victory with a Man of the Match Award.
Airtel managing director Charles Kamoto said they were satisfied with the performance of the two teams in the final.
On his part, Football Association of Malawi president Walter Nyamilandu said they were happy to have witnessed a thrilling final between two sides that enjoyed great form this season.
The champions received K17 million while the runners-up got K5 million.
