Bullets conquer Mafco in top 8
Nyasa Big Bullets yesterday struck early and defended well to beat Mafco FC 3-1 at Kamuzu Stadium in Blantyre and get one leg into the semi-finals of the Airtel Top 8 Knockout Cup.
This means the 2020/21 Super League champions will only make the last-four grade if they win, draw or lose by not more than two goals during the quarter-finals second-leg away on November 21 at Chitowe Stadium in Salima.
“This is a great result for us although we missed a lot of chances, especially in the second half. Nevertheless, it feels good to go into the second leg away with a spring in our step,” said Bullets coach Kallisto Pasuwa.
Mafco assistant coach Yohane Fulaye said they lost because they took long to settle “but we will do our best to win the second leg”.
Yesterday, it was a perfectly calibrated triumph for Bullets, who led 3-0 by half-time through Hassan Kajoke’s strike and Babatunde Adepoju’s brace.
With well-structured attacks, they forced the Salima-based soldiers on the back-foot right from the first whistle.
It was no surprise, therefore, when they registered their first goal just two minutes into the game when Kajoke made a quick turn on a loose ball in the box before letting out a thunderbolt into the bottom corner after Mafco defenders failed to clear their lines.
Kajoke turned into provider in the 31st minute when he set up Adepoju for an easy tap-in in the box.
The former Mighty Wanderers forward completed his brace with a low drive in the 44th minute after being well-fed by his captain and man of the match Chimwemwe Idana, who effectively beat Mafco’s off-side trap.
However, this does not mean Mafco tried their best to penetrate Bullets’ defence and shoot at goal on a number of occasions, but they were just unlucky.
Their first realistic chance came in the 14th minute when Zikhole Ngulube’s free-kick just outside the box missed the goal-mouth just by a few inches. Joseph Donsa also tried his luck at Bullets’ goal in the 21st minute, but his attempt went over the bar.
Both sides came with all guns blazing in the second half with most of their chances being hardly converted into goals.
Nevertheless, Mafco managed to pull one back in the final minute through Martin Masoatheka, who took advantage of Bullets’ defensive errors to slot in past goalkeeper Ernest Kakhobwe.
Airtel Malawi managing director Charles Kamoto, who featured in a curtain-raising match between Airtel Socials and Southern Region (SR) Socials, said they were happy with the hype as the tournament rolled into action.
Music performance spiced up the opening match.
Airtel Top 8 adventures continue this afternoon as Wanderers host Moyale Barracks in another quarter-final first leg clash at the same venue.
After that, action resumes next weekend as defending champions Silver Strikers begin their title defence with a home tie against Kasungu-based TN Stars at Nankhaka ground in Lilongwe on November 13.
Civil Service United (Civo) and Karonga United wrap up the quarter-final first legs at Civo Stadium in Lilongwe on November 14.
