FCB Nyasa Big Bullets began the Airtel Top 8 title defence with a 2-0 victory over Civil Service United in the quarterfinal first leg at Kamuzu Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
The defending champions, who needed a last-minute strike to dispose of the opposition in the FDH Bank Cup quarterfinals at the same venue last month, wasted no time by scoring two quick goals through Stanley Billiat and Chawanangwa Gumbo in the opening 15 minutes of Saturday’s tie.
It was a good response from Kalisto Pasuwa’s men, who were coming from a heartbreaking 3-2 defeat to Blue Eagles in the FDH Bank Cup final a fortnight ago.
What happened
The match commenced with the hosts looking more dangerous in the opening minutes. The first goal came in the 6th minute through a well-calculated counter-attack, which started with Frank Willard to Yankho Singo, who released Billiat to the right and the winger rounded off Rahaman John before hitting the back of the empty net, 1-0.
Six minutes later, it was 2-0. Another counter-attack from the left side of the field saw Babatunde Adepoju exchanging passes with Ephraim Kondowe, who laid the ball to Gumbo and the midfielder fired straight at goal, beating John to his right-hand side, 2-0.
After this second goal, the hosts dropped off the pace and allowed Abbas Makawa’s charges to find their rhythm back.
The visitors nearly punished us in the 14th minute when Willard allowed Festus Duwe to manoeuvre inside the area before releasing a powerful shot, which Richard Chimbamba diffused to concede a corner that Bullets defended well to protect their lead.
At the other end of the half, Billiat delivered a brilliant cross from a corner kick to Babatunde in the 17th minute, but the striker’s powerful header missed John’s left-hand side with an inch, resulting in an early injury to the former Bullets shot-stopper, who was replaced by Blessings Juma.
The next 20 minutes saw us defending too deep to protect our two-goal advantage, but the visitors couldn’t capitalize as they fell short in attack, losing possession in the final third.
Civil made two tactical substitutions early in the 26th minute when John Dambuleni and Damiano Kunje came on for Boston Kabango and Kelvin Kadzinje as they looked to strengthen their defence which was struggling to deal with Babatunde.
These two changes seemed to have worked for The Servants who neutralised Bullets’ attack. Juma was yet to be tasted, a clear indication of how tough the game was in terms of creating chances for the home side.
With five minutes left to play before recess, Bullets had an opportunity when Precious Sambani released Billiat to the left. The winger made a brilliant run before sending an inviting cross to Kondowe, unfortunately, the forward was slow to react, allowing Juma to collect the ball before we pounced.
This miss could have proved very costly in the final minute of the half. A cross from Chikaiko Batison found Muhammad Biyason in the penalty area. The winger made a quick pass to Duwe, who did everything right by firing at goal, but his goal-bound shot hit the post, and from the rebound, Chimbamba reacted very quickly to make a save, and that was all for the half.
After the recess, Chikumbutso Salima came in for Kondowe. Unlike the opening half, both teams struggled to keep possession. It wasn’t an entertaining final half, especially in the opening minutes.
However, Bullets had a chance to finish off their opposition in the 55th minute. Sambani’s cross from the left into the box found Salima unmarked. The winger produced a diving header which was well-saved by Juma from close range, his first serious involvement in the game.
It was the final half of a few chances as both teams failed to create meaningful opportunities. The two teams were also failing to complete more passes when in possession.
Civil brought in China Chirwa and Mathews Mtalakwesi for Chifundo Ngapenga and Blessings Malinda in the 64th minute to try to add more firepower in search of at least a goal, knowing that reduced arrears would have given them an advantage on away goal rule ahead of the second leg in Lilongwe.
Duwe had a chance to punish Bullets in the 73rd minute when he made a brilliant run into the box but his final touch was poorly taken when passing the ball to Chirwa would have been the best option as the forward had already placed himself in a shooting range.
With 75 minutes played on the clock, Babatunde had a chance to register his name on the scoresheet but the Nigerian’s header from Salima’s delivery from a corner-kick went off target. Pasuwa made a double substitution in the 76th minute when he introduced Lloyd Aaron and Maxwell Phodo for Gumbo and Billiat.
Moments later Babatunde had another chance to find our third goal when made an excellent run into the opposition’s defensive zone but his effort was well blocked by Dambuleni.
The Nigerian was still pushing for a goal and nearly scored in the 82nd minute when he dribbled past Masiya Manda before firing at goal but Juma was very alert with an important save.
With six minutes of regulation time left on the clock, Pasuwa handed new-signing Wongani Lungu his first appearance in the red and white jersey since joining the defending champions from Mzuzu City Hammers. He came in for Willard.
In the final minutes of the match, Bullets had two back-to-back corner-kicks, which the visitors defended at ease and after 90 minutes of play, 2-0, it ended.
Gumbo was named Player of the Match following his impressive performance throughout the afternoon, scoring our second goal 12 minutes from kick-off.
What it means
Bullets will go into the second leg tie away to Civil with a two-goal advantage when the two teams meet in the capital on a date to be announced by the Football Association of Malawi.
What next
Next on the menu for Pasuwa’s men is a midweek TNM Super League fixture against Bangwe All Stars at Kamuzu Stadium on Thursday.
