FCB Nyasa Big Bullets Reserves beat Mangochi United 3-0 to seal off the 2023 Nyasa Capital Finance Cup third spot at Ntaja Ground on Sunday afternoon.
Three second-half goals from Chrispin Mapemba and Gift Lamowa decided the match in which the young Bullets hugely impressed.
What happened
Meeting for the third time this season, Bullets Reserves and Mangochi United started the third-place battle at a high tempo with a clear intent to get an early goal by storming into the final third with high balls.
Coach Enos Chatama treated the tie to prepare his side for next Thursday’s Southern Region Football League quarter-final showdown against Zingwangwa United by entrusting most of the players who have had less playing time this season.
This, however, did not stop the young Bullets from stepping up for the occasion with an oomph as they always looked a better side on the ball, especially in the midfield where Sladge Sanudi, who spent months on the sidelines and was wearing the captain’s armband on the day, orchestrated play quite majestically.
Nonetheless, clear chances proved to be scarce and for the few that were created, there was a lack of a telling touch from both sides to convert them into goals.
Barren, the opening half would finish as proceedings provided nothing noteworthy in terms of action in front of goal.
The second period had something different to offer. Three minutes into the half, Bullets were in front thanks to substitute Mapemba who headed home a lovely cross from Gift Lamowa from down the right byline following a swift attack.
Having caught fire with the first goal, we then claimed further authority of the game by launching sweeping attacks which resulted in our second goal on the day with the same creator and scorer as Lamowa fought hard to win a duel in the area before setting up Mapemba, who with a crisp touch guided the ball into the net and it was 2-nil up in the 16th minute of the final half.
And then there was icing to the cake in stoppage time when Lamowa, the provider of the first two goals, concluded the tie with a simple finish after being beautifully set up by Wilson Jacob to score his 19th strike of the season in all competitions.
The final whistle followed shortly after that, and 3-0 it finished for the young Bullets to finish third in the 2023 Nyasa Capital Finance Cup.
What the manager said
“One of the best games we have played so far, it was entertaining. We played a good game, passing football from the first whistle to the last whistle. It is only that in the first half we did not take our chances and we were not getting into dangerous positions to convert them.
All in all, it was a balanced performance; the defence was so good, goalkeeping we can say was not tested, midfield very superb. The only thing we were lacking was up front, especially in the first half but the introduction of Mapemba changed everything. I can say I should just give a big thumbs up to the boys for the job well done.” reacted Chatama.
Next
Bullets Reserves will now shift their focus to the ThumbsUp Southern Region Football League action as they are set to face Zingwangwa United, a side they met twice this season in the Nyasa Capital Finance Cup quarter-finals.
First XI
Ganizani Banda, Chifundo Sapuwa, Raphick Bahati, Mussah Bwanali, Kondwani Chirwa, Sladge Sanudi, Raphick Ndeule, Blessings Kanowa, Francis Malikebu, Gift Lamowa, Wilson Jacob
Used Subs
Oscar Petro, Chrispin Mapemba, Alex Msiska
