FCB Nyasa Big Bullets Reserves emerged 4-0 winners over Nyambadwe United in the ThumbsUp Southern Region Football League on Sunday afternoon at Kamuzu Stadium.
Wongani Kaponya and Macray Chiwaya scored a single goal each to win us the first half, and off the bench, Limbani Kutambe added a third in the second half before Chiwaya scored a beauty of a strike to seal the win.
What happened
The home side on the day, Nyambadwe, started well by seeing much of the ball and displaying an expansive style of play.
Having been on the edge in the early stages, our youngsters picked up as the tie progressed. Displaying incredible pressing, the Bullets Reserves pinned the hosts in their half and forced numerous mistakes in their build-up.
Eventually, we took the lead in the 22nd minute. Cleverly, Francis Malikebu had skipped a cross from down the right flank to allow the well-positioned Kaponya to finish calmly.
We were quickly two-nil up as we doubled the lead two minutes later, thanks to another Nyambadwe mistake which turned fatal.
Kaponya picked up a misplaced build-up pass on the edge of the box and passed it to Prince Chalera who had a clear sight of goal but unselfishly passed to Chiwaya who tapped in with his weaker foot to make it 0-2.
Threatening to respond, the hosts dominated the last quarter of the first half but the scores remained unchanged.
We returned from the interval looking pretty much improved on the ball and managed to fashion numerous chances despite our failure to extend the lead.
Past the hour mark, Enos Chatama took off Malikebu and introduced Kutambe, who did not take long to add our third goal on the day. Released by a high ball, the midfielder raced behind the Nyambadwe defence and cheekily beat his marker and the ‘keeper at once before guiding the ball into the empty net and it was 0-3 after 74 minutes.
We weren’t done with the hosts as we added another goal seven minutes later. Scorer of the third, Kutambe beat his marker down the right and telegraphed a fine cut-back pass, which Chiwaya connected with superpower behind it to send the ball into the roof of the net, completing a well-worked team goal.
We did not cease to create goal-scoring opportunities from thereon but it was 0-4 at full time.
What it means
A win on their 10th match of the last eight takes our youngsters to 19 points.
Matching with Red Lions, who won 3-1 against Mwanza Stars on the same afternoon, both on points and goals, we remain in third position as the Zomba-based military outfit keeps the second position on head-to-head record in this campaign.
Chatama post Nyambadwe
“Today the boys showed determination and character. They played very well. They got quick goals just after 20 minutes. During the halftime break, we told them to attack and attack and ended up getting two beautiful goals. We can only be worried about the chances we have created and the chances we have converted. All in all, a 0-4 win is good for our campaign.”
Looking forward
With four games remaining, our reserves will be back to league action this weekend with a home fixture after back-to-back away assignments.
