FCB Nyasa Big Bullets Under-19s claimed fourth place in the African Herbal Mixture Cup after a dramatic 5-4 loss on penalties to CC Stars at Kamuzu Stadium on Sunday.
After a tense 0-0 stalemate in normal time, the match was ultimately decided from the penalty spot. Despite a gallant effort, Bullets came up just short, bringing a bittersweet close to a campaign that promised much but ended in surrendering the trophy they won twice since 2023.
First Half
The match got underway before a vibrant, energetic crowd, with both teams eager to draw first blood. Just two minutes in, CC Stars announced their intentions. Joseph Sifa danced down the wing and fired in a low cross that carved open the defence and found Hopeson Phiri lurking dangerously, only for the Bullets back line to clear the danger at the last moment.
What followed was a tactical chess match, with neither side able to produce a shot on target by the 10th minute, though not for lack of ambition. Both teams fought fiercely in midfield, vying for dominance and control.
The tempo shifted in the 22nd minute. Willy Demakube read the play superbly, intercepting a loose pass before surging forward. He picked out Bika, who quickly noticed Lungu streaking forward. Lungu wound up for a shot as the crowd held its breath, but his attempt sailed off-target—the best chance thus far went unconverted.
Shortly after, the visitors switched things up, replacing Fortina Mapira with Imran Osman in the 26th minute in a bid to outmanoeuvre Bullets’ stubborn defence.
CC Stars soon earned a corner, with Sifa curling in a teasing ball, but Bullets’ backline stood resolute, clearing before real danger could materialize.
In the 34th minute, Martin Magono found space for the visitors and unleashed a thunderous shot destined for the net, only for Phiri’s quick reflexes to deny him a spectacular goal. The resulting corner threatened, but Bullets Youth repelled the attack with determination.
As the halftime whistle sounded, neither side had broken the deadlock, with Bullets yet to register a shot on target despite an intense and promising opening half.
Second Half
Bullets emerged from the break with a tactical switch, introducing the lively Hassan Madula for Caleb Chapendeka as coach Yamikani Fodya looked to energize the midfield and tilt the contest in his side’s favour.
The pattern of the game, however, remained unchanged. Both teams battled in an end-to-end contest, brimming with energy but short of real scoring opportunities.
By the hour mark, Bullets began to assert themselves, taking control and pressing forward with increasing intent. Yet, for all their possession and build-up, the decisive final pass continued to elude them. The CC Stars defence refused to yield.
In the 66th minute, CC Stars nearly snatched the lead. Julius Lloyd rose to meet a swinging cross from Tendai Masamba following a rare defensive lapse by Bullets, but his header drifted just wide, much to the relief of the home supporters.
As the game entered its final phase, Bullets made another adjustment, bringing on Samuel Mpinda for Bika. Almost immediately, Bullets won a corner, but Thole Sachenja’s delivery failed to trouble the defence, drifting harmlessly wide.
Bullets kept the pressure on, earning a series of corners, all taken by substitute Gomezgani Maziya, yet each effort missed the mark—frustration mounting with every wasted opportunity.
Still, Bullets pressed for a winner. With five minutes remaining, Charles Kasalanga whipped in a pinpoint cross, finding Madula in a prime position. Anticipation surged in the stands—but Madula failed to capitalize, letting the chance slip away.
With the final whistle, the scoreboard still read 0-0—a result that belied Bullets’ dominant second-half display and left them rueing the missed opportunities.
In the deciding penalty shootout, both teams traded successful efforts in the opening rounds. But the turning point came when Bullets faltered at a crucial moment, leaving CC Stars to convert their final kick and clinch a 5-4 victory.
