Nyasa Big Bullets Reserves progressed to the final of the Nyasa Capital Finance Cup after beating Bangwe All Stars 8-1 on aggregate.
Goals from Emmanuel Savieli, Lyton Chinong’one, Stanley Billiat and Chikumbutso Salima saw Enos Chatama’s boys register a 1-4 victory over Bangwe in the second leg of the competition at Mulanje Boma Park on Sunday afternoon to book a place in final against The Boys of Chilomoni.
The junior Bullets went into the game with a four-goal advantage following a 4-0 victory over Mabvuto Lungu’s side in the first leg tie at Kamuzu Stadium on Wednesday.
Chatama made two changes to the midweek starting XI as Patrick Mwaungulu and Yamikani Mologeni were replaced by Chifundo Sapuwa and Salima.
Savieli opened the scoring in the 14th minute to take his tally in the competition to 13 and increase his chances of winning the Golden Boot.
Thomson Magombo should have doubled the lead three minutes later after he was set by Salima inside the area, however the midfielder was unfortunate to see his strike go off target.
Bullets Reserves kept on knocking for another goal, but the front three of Savieli, Billiat and Salima could not find the back of the net with a number of chances created.
Magombo, again, came close in the 35th minute when he was released by Salima only to see his effort deflected over the bar for a corner kick, which was defended by the hosts to give Bullets Reserves a narrow 0-1 lead at the interval.
Chatama made a half-time change when he withdrew Magombo for Chinong’one, who doubled the lead with his first touch in the 47th minute, 0-2.
Billiat had a clear chance in the 50th minute when he was released by Savieli, however the forward failed to make it three, blasting his effort over the bar.
Bullets Reserves’ second substitution came in the 53rd minute when Frank Mlimanjala came on to replace Felix Demakude.
Billiat finally found the back of the net on the one-hour mark, showcasing his individual brilliance as he created space for himself in the attacking zone before releasing a powerful shot that left Emmanuel Moses “Mandambwe” helpless in goal for the hosts, 0-3.
Bullets Reserves had a penalty call turned down in the 68th after Salima was brought down in the area and the referee waves play on.
Kelvin Mandebvu pulled a goal back for Bangwe with 15 minutes remainng when Bullets Reserves defence failed to stop the home side, allowing them to exchange a number of passes in the danger zone before powering the ball home past Clever Mkungula, 1-3.
Chatama made two final permutations when he welcomed back left-back Chabulika into the team from injury as he replaced Willard, while Titani was introduced for Savieli.
The substitutions paid off as Bullets Reserves started pressing again and forced Bangwe to open up and create spaces.
It was in the 87th minute when Salima netted the fourth and final goal to finish the game at 1-4 at the end of stoppage time.
Bullets Reserves will face The Boys in the final slated for 19th December at Kamuzu Stadium.
The boys are eyeing their third silverware this season after winning the ThumbsUp Southern Region Football League and the PowerTex Top 8. The junior Bullets are also in the semi-final of the Aubrey Dimba Trophy.
