Nyasa Big Bullets are out of the FDH Bank Cup after losing 4-2 on penalties against Silver Strikers on Wednesday afternoon.
Bullets, who arrived on Sunday from Tanzania where they lost in the final of the CECAFA Kagame Cup, gave away lead twice for the midweek quarterfinal to be decided through penalties following a 2-2 draw at Silver Stadium.
Hassan Kajoke and Zicco Mkanda scored for Bullets while Stain Davie grabbed a brace for the hosts.
The Central Bankers came close at two minutes, but Frank Banda had his attempt wide of the post and it was Kajoke who opened the scoring on the other end in the 4th minute when he powered home McFallen Mgwira’s cross.
Bullets had another attempt at goal when Munthali had his header from Mgwira’s free kick from the left flank stopped by goalkeeper Charles Thom, who also denied Kajoke a chance to grab a brace when he parried away the striker’s header to concede a corner.
Tembo should have drawn the hosts level in the 23rd minute when he was found unmarked on the far post, however the central midfielder failed to bring down and slot the ball into the net for Bullets to win a goal kick.
Silver took control of the game and started dictating possession as Bullets looked shaky at the back. Thuso Paipi had an opportunity on the half-hour mark when he was found on the edge of the penalty box but his weak shot landed straight at Chiyenda, before Davie equalized for the hosts.
The home coach made two first-half changes when he introduced Mark Fodya and Prince Phiri for Misheck Malaisha and Paipi, before Chiyenda made another save to deny the hosts another goal before recess and it ended 1-1 at the of the opening half.
Kalisto Pasuwa made a half-time change when he brought on Yamikani Fodya for Erick Kaonga who had picked a knock before the break.
Mkanda took Bullets back in the lead when he beat Thom after failing stop Kajoke’s strike in the 50th minute.
Davie again pounced at Chiyenda 15 minutes later when he rose high to connect Tembo’s free kick and get the hosts back in the game.
The Central Bankers made two more changes when Chikondi Kamanga and Maxwell Phondo were introduced for Franck Banda and Young Chimodzi Jnr, while Pasuwa brought on Precious Phiri and Lanjesi Nkhoma for Mkanda and injured Kajoke.
Kabwe was forced to replace Davie when he picked an injury in a challenge with Chimango Kayira. The Silver Strikers forward picked a yellow card on his way out for a foul on the Bullets midfielder.
Tembo had a chance to bury Bullets in regulation time when he found himself in a one-v-one situation with Chiyenda, however the goalkeeper came charging to stop his strike before he was replaced by Ernest Kakhobwe in the 88th minute in anticipation of a penalty shootout.
Bullets scored two penalties through Yamikani Fodya and Chimango Kayira while Sankhani Makndawire and Henry Kabichi were denied by Thom, whose side converted their spot kicks through Chisomo Mpachika, Patrick Macheso, Levison Maganizo and Mark Fodya to take them into the semi-finals of the inaugural FDH Bank Cup and will face Mighty Wanderers.
