FCB Nyasa Big Bullets’ journey in the Airtel Top 8 continues on Sunday afternoon when we face Kamuzu Barracks in the semifinals at Bingu National Stadium.
The People’s Team will play KB three days after being held to a 1-1 draw by Premier Bet Dedza Dynamos in the TNM Super League at Kamuzu Stadium on Thursday.
After failing to defend the FDH Bank Cup and now 12 points behind Silver Strikers in the league title race with six games, the 2023 quadruple winners hope to advance to the Airtel Top 8 final and defend the cup.
FORM GUIDE
Midweek, Pasuwa’s men came from behind to salvage a point against Dedza as Lameck Gamphani scored against his former club in the final minute of the stoppages to save the Malawi champions from another home defeat this season.
Before Thursday’s draw, Bullets were 2-1 winners over rivals Mighty Mukuru Wanderers in the Blantyre derby last week.
Since booking their spot in the semis, Kamuzu Barracks have channelled all their focus towards the upcoming clash against the Bullets. They did so by beating Ntchisi Tigers 4-0 in the Castel Challenge Cup Round of 64.
Road to the semis
The title holders booked their spot in the semis with a 2-0 aggregate win over Civil Service United in the two-legged quarterfinal affair.
Bullets utilised the home advantage to score two first-leg goals against the Servants before travelling to Lilongwe for the second leg, which ended 0-0.
KB lost 2-0 away to Chitipa United in the first leg, but they overturned the deficit in the return leg in Lilongwe to take the game to penalties, from which they triumphed 4-2.
HEAD-TO-HEAD
Since KB earned a Super League promotion in 2012, we have met them twice in a knockout competition.
All these two games were played in the then-Carlsberg Cup in the 2013 and 2017 editions.
In 2013, a lone strike from Harvey Nkacha inspired Kamuzu Barracks to a hard-fought 1-0 victory at Dedza Stadium to advance to the last eight of the competition. They won the cup after beating Moyale Barracks 1-0 in the final at Mzuzu Stadium.
Bullets and KB met again in the same competition in 2017 at Chilomoni Stadium. The People’s Team dominated the play, but Davie Banda pounced first with a simple tap-in after our defence failed to deal with the visiting side’s free kick.
With three minutes left, Bullets levelled the scores after Mike Mkwate’s intelligent long-range shot hit the post. Collen Nkhulambe tapped in from the rebound to make it 1-1.
Penalties had to decide the winner in which Sammy Chiponda missed his spot-kick to allow Yamikani Fodya to score the decisive penalty. Bullets went on to win the cup by beating Wanderers on penalties.
Sunday afternoon’s encounter will be the first-ever meeting between the two teams in the Airtel Top 8.
In a recent meeting, the two teams played out to a goalless draw at Civo Stadium in the league.
The winner of the second semifinal will face Silver Strikers, who beat Mighty Mukuru Wanderers 1-0 at the same venue on Saturday night to qualify for the final.
TEAM NEWS
Pasuwa’s side has no new injuries. All players who were part of Thursday’s squad against Dedza Dynamos, as well as Yankho Singo and Stanley Billiat, who were rested, are available for selection.
KICK-OFF TIME AND HOW TO WATCH THE MATCH
Our clash against Kamuzu Barracks in the Airtel Top 8 semifinal number two is scheduled for 15h00.
You can catch all the action live on Mpira TV. It will also be streamed on FIFA+. You can also catch all the match updates on our Facebook and X (Twitter) channels.
MATCH OFFICIALS
Referee: Godfrey Nkhakananga
Assistant Referee 1: Evans Musonda
Assistant Referee 2: McHastings Kanjati
Fourth Official: Mercy Kayira
Match Commissioner: Boswell Msango
