Precious Phiri came off the bench to snatch a last-minute strike as FCB Nyasa Big Bullets beat Civil Service United 1-0 to reach the FDH Bank Cup semi-finals at Kamuzu Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
It was a hard-earned victory for the defending champions who were left frustrated at home until Phiri’s 95th-minute strike took The People’s Team into a third successive semi-final tie in this competition.
What happened
Kalisto Pasuwa welcomed Clyde Senaji into his starting XI after missing out on action for several weeks due to a groin injury which he sustained during our 1-1 draw in the TNM Super League away to Creck Sporting Club in May.
The Kenyan centre-half replaced Colin Mujuru, who started against Bangwe All Stars in the TNM Super League on Wednesday but missed Sunday’s clash.
Chawanangwa Gumbo was also given a start to replace Ernest Petro, who suffered an injury in the first half as we beat Bangwe 2-0 midweek at Mpira Stadium.
The first half belonged to the visitors who were able to pass the ball around, moving from defence to attack, but they lacked the finishing composure in front of Richard Chimbamba’s goal.
Civil looked tactically good on the ball, especially through Chikaiko Batison, Muhammad Biyason and Blessings Malinda who were all over the place, causing havoc to Bullets’ back four.
Despite their dominance in the opening minutes, it was Senaji who had the first goal-scoring opportunity in the 14th minute through a thunderous shot outside the penalty box, forcing Rahaman John to concede a corner with his first serious save of the match.
The 4-4-2 formation wasn’t working for Bullets as all the spaces were closed down by Civil and there was no way out, forcing the hosts to start using secondary balls looking for a breakthrough.
With 20 minutes played, a miscommunication between Senaji and Nickson Nyasulu almost gifted Malinda a goal but he was let down by his heavy touch, allowing Chimbamba to come out of his comfort zone to make an important save.
Bullets were racing against time, with Civil’s game plan seemingly working to frustrate Pasuwa’s charges in front of thousands of the home fans who came to witness the showdown.
The visitors continued dominating and they nearly broke the deadlock in the 24th minute through Biyason, who got the better of Gomezgani Chirwa before releasing a powerful shot that missed Chimbamba’s right-hand post with an inch.
The only missing link in Civil’s game plan was a clinical finisher who, with the way they were playing, would have spoiled the day for the defending champions but every attack in the offensive zone ended up either in the hands of Chimbamba or contained by Bullets’ defenders.
With 40 minutes played, The People’s Team had managed to register a single shot at goal, a clear indication of how tough the afternoon would be for the title holders, who are eyeing a third FDH Bank Cup.
Our frustrating first half was summed up with an injury to Chikumbutso Salima, who suffered a muscle cramp and was replaced by Stanley Billiat before the close of the opening period.
After recess, Pasuwa switched from the 4-4-2 formation to the usual 4-3-3 to improve his attacking prowess especially the link-man between the defense to attack.
This changed our offensive prowess and we were now pressing into the attacking zone with intent.
Our first chance of the final half came in the 51st minute when Chawanangwa Gumbo found himself on the receiving end of Billiat’s cross, but the midfielder headed off target.
For the first time in the match, there was a sense of urgency from the hosts who were now dominating play, limiting Civil’s attack which was orchestrated by Batison, Malinda and Biyason.
Lloyd Aaron was now more offensive than how he performed in the first half and he nearly punished his former side in the 55th minute when he smartly dribbled past Charles Mafaiti before releasing a thunderous shot outside the penalty area, unfortunately, his effort missed the target.
Sensing danger, the visitors deployed delaying tactics through their goalkeeper, John, who was slowly killing Bullets’ rhythm.
Abbas Makawa replaced Malinda for the Servants, who were living dangerously from our offensive play.
In the 64th minute, Maxwell Phodo had a chance to break the deadlock when he was played through by Billiat, only for his effort to be guided over the crossbar when passing to Babatunde Adepoju would have been the best possible option.
Seven minutes from the hour mark, Civil won a freekick closer to the centre circle. Mafaiti stepped up and released a powerful drive that nearly went in, beating Chimbamba before it hit the post and swung out for a goal-kick.
Phodo was replaced by Ephraim Kondowe in the 69th minute while Chifundo Ngapemba replaced Batison for Makawa’s men.
In the 73rd minute, China Chirwa had an opportunity to pounce but his goal-bound strike was deflected straight into the hands of Chimbamba.
With the clock ticking very fast for the hosts, John was at it again, stopping the play with unnecessary delaying tactics as he was certainly targeting spot-kicks as he has done well in the past, especially against Mighty Tigers in the Round of 16.
Bullets had two setpieces closer to Civil’s penalty box from the 81st to the 83rd minute from which Mafaiti was shown his second yellow card after a dangerous tackle on Kondowe.
But all the two freekicks were easily dealt with by John who was in control of everything thrown at him.
Pasuwa, with a one-man advantage, made a tactical change as he brought on Precious Phiri and withdrew his first-half substitute, Billiat.
Our final chance in normal time came in the 88th minute when Kondowe delivered a beautiful cross into the penalty area where he spotted Gomezgani Chirwa and Babatunde, but the duo could not manage a touch into the empty net.
Referee Mercy Kayira added five minutes to the clock and the visitors continued with their time-wasting rather than playing the game.
Little did they know that Bullets would use the added minutes to break their hearts as they had already set their sights on penalty kicks.
The moment that every Bullets fan was expecting arrived at the last minute of additional minutes.
Moses Banda had lost the ball to Aaron who made a sprinted run before releasing Babatunde to the left side of the field.
The Nigerian wasted no time by sending a low pass into the box, catching the visiting defenders napping and from there, Phiri, on his return having been on the sidelines for several weeks due to an injury, pounced with a clinical finish to send the whole stadium into a frenzy.
After the final whistle, Makawa’s men were in uncontrollable tears while the hosts brought back the ‘Bullets N’kumadzulo’ spirit as they proceeded to their third semifinal appearance in the competition.
What it means
Clinching this victory on Sunday, the defending champions remain firmly on track to retain their title.
They will face Moyale Barracks in the semis on a date and venue to be announced by the Football Association of Malawi.
In another semifinal contest, Karonga United will face Blue Eagles.
What next
Pasuwa’s men will switch focus to TNM Super League action when we host Moyale Barracks at Kamuzu Stadium next Sunday.
