Nyasa Big Bullets suffered defeat in the CECAFA Kagame Cup 2021 final after Martin Kizza scored in the first half to hand Ugandan Express FC a 1-0 victory at Benjamin Mkapa Stadium on Saturday.
Both sides started the game with caution but it was Express who looked the better team after 10 minutes with Kizza almost getting an opener for the East African side.
At the other end Bullets wingback Gomegzani Chirwa had an opportunity on the stroke of the quarter-hour but he blasted his drive wide.
Bullets were caught on a counter when Chirwa’s pass was intercepted as he tried to find McFallen Mgwira in the opponents half. Eric Kambale and Muzamir Mutyaba exchanged one-two passes before releasing Kizza who squeezed the ball between Rabson Chiyenda’s legs at the near post to give Express the lead.
Bright Munthali should have pull The People’s Team level in the 35th minute when he was released by Babatunde Adepoju on the left, unfortunately the striker, who netted twice in the semi-final, shot just wide of the post.
Adepoju found the back of the net a minute before the break, unfortunately the goal was ruled out for for an infringement inside the box as he won the ball and Express led 1-0 at half-time.
The Red Eagles made two changes while on the other bench Bullets Assistant Coach Peter Mponda introduced Hassan Kajoke for Mgwira.
Kajoke had a chance in the 57th minute after being released by Babatunde, unfortunately the Bullets number 9 had his header blocked before being cleared out of danger.
The People’s Team kept putting the pressure in search for an equalizer, but could not break the Red Eagles’ defence. In the 69th minute Chimwemwe Idana tried his luck outside the 18-yard box when he released a left-footed shot that was easily collected by Joel Mutakubwa.
Kajoke was withdrawn in the 82nd minute as Mponda introduced attacking midfielder Paul Kansungwi in an attempt to try and unlock the Express defence but it was too late for Bullets who succumbed to a 1-0 defeat.
Bullets captain Chimwemwe Idana was accorded the tournament’s Fair Play Award while left-back Yamikani Fodya was name Best Player.
