National Sports

Bullets, Express fight for Cecafa jackpot

When Nyasa Big Bullets take to the turf against Uganda’s Express FC in the final of the Cecafa Kagame Interclub Cup in Dar es Salaam tomorrow, the ultimate prize is $30 000 (about K25 million).

What is also clear is that each team will get $20 000 (about K 17 million) as runners-up

But Bullets assistant coach Peter Mponda, who is in charge of the team at the tournament, said they will be gunning for the Confederation of East and Central Africa Football Associations (Cecafa) championship.

He said: “I am happy that the boys have delivered. They gave it all. But we still have 90 plus minutes to play in the final. I believe we have a chance to win the cup.”

Mponda said being a guest team did not mean Bullets should be underdogs.

Bullets Gomegzani Chirwa (L)
scored the decisive penalty

He said: “I don’t think there are any rules that say guests should not reach the final. The reason why they invited Nyasa Big Bullets to this tournament is because of our background. They know that this team has history.

“A couple of times we have played teams from Cecafa such as Simba of Tanzania and we gave them a very good run.”

Bullets were in the same group at the tournament with Express FC and drew one-all.

Soccer analyst Charles Nyirenda said both sides have equal chances of winning the Cecafa Kagame Interclub Cup.

He said. “Cup finals are tricky. They are different from other games. They can go either way. It all depends on how you approach the match. At the end of the day, the best team carries the day.”

Meanwhile, President Lazarus Chakwera has congratulated the team for reaching the final.

In a statement, the President said: “The First Lady and I join all Malawians in congratulating the Nyasa Big Bullets for reaching the Cecafa final. This is a great achievement, one that will go down in the history of Malawi. As you face the last hurdle of the tournament, be assured of my support and my belief in your success. You can win for all of us.”

The People’s Team needed post-match penalties to overcome Azam FC of Tanzania 4-2 after the two sides tied 2-2 in regulation and extra time to reach the final.

The People’s Team’s qualification to the final also means they have become the first guest team to make it this far

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