Masters Security yesterday secured a Carlsberg Cup final berth with a 4-3 triumph on post match penalties over last year’s finalists Nyasa Big Bullets at Civo Stadium in Lilongwe.
The game ended 1-1 in regulation time and went to post match penalties.
Bashir Maunde and captain Yamikani Fodya had their penalties saved by Masters Security goalkeeper Bester Phiri while Chiukepo Msowoya, Pilirani Zonda and Sankhani Mkandawire converted.
Masters scored through Francis Elick Astigmatism and Amadu Makawa but Mphatso Dzongololo’s penalty was saved by goalkeeper Rabson Chiyenda.Mkonda, Richard Chande,
Bullets took the lead in the 12th minute through a Chiukepo penalty.
Masters defender Misheck Malaicha handled the ball in the box.
In the 32nd minute Amadu Makawa had his shot from close range tamed by Bullets’ goalkeeper Chiyenda.
However John Chalamanda made no mistake with six minutes to recess when he capitalised on defender Pilirani Zonda’s blunder.
The Peoples’ team started strongly after resumption with some swift passing that saw them tearing Masters Security defence apart.
Sensing danger, Masters re-organised themselves to contain Bullets threats.
This forced the People’s Team to substitute midfielder Nelson Kangunje for the more offensive-minded Bashir Maunde in the 54th minute.
They also replaced Munthali for Mike Mkwate who rejuvenated Bullets with a new wave of attack.
Msowoya, should curse himself for shooting over the bar with the goalkeeper beaten in the 71st minute and Mkwate fluffed another opportunity from a similar situation a minute later.
Bullets team manager James Chilapondwa blamed the loss on the missed opportunities.
“In football, if you don’t score you get punished. We had good chances to win the game in normal time,” Chilapondwa said.
Masters coach Abbas Makawa saluted his charges for putting up a gallant fight in an encounter befitting the bill of ‘David vs Goliath.’
“People had already counted us out before the match. We came here as underdogs. We are glad to be in the finals,” Makawa said.
Masters will face the winners between Be Forward Wanderers and Hangout in another semi-finals to be played today at Kamuzu Stadium in Blantyre.
