FCB Nyasa Big Bullets advanced to the Airtel Top 8 final following a 2-0 victory over Kamuzu Barracks at the Bingu National Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
In an intense tie, Ephraim Kondowe’s early goal unsettled KB before Blessings Mpokera sealed the victory in the final half to set up a last showdown against Silver Strikers, our third successive Airtel Top 8 final.
What happened
Kalisto Pasuwa made six changes to the side that drew 1-1 with Dedza Dynamos on Thursday. He brought back Yamikani Mologeni, Yankho Singo, and Wongani Lungu in the starting XI and handed starts to Ernest Petro and Ephraim Kondowe.
After recovering from a long-term injury, Alick Lungu had his first start on Sunday.
Two minutes into the game, Bullets broke the deadlock. The visitors had launched an offensive attack, and immediately after Pasuwa’s men won the ball, they launched a stunning counter-attack that originated from the right side of the field.
Babatunde Adepoju made a brilliant run inside the goal area before setting up Kondowe, who made a simple finish to beat the defenceless Hastings Banda 1-0.
Chrispin Mapemba had his long-range effort missing the upright with an inch in the 7th minute.
Despite conceding early, Charles Kamanga’s men settled down and took the game to Bullets, but Pasuwa’s men defended their goal with everything, halting every attack from the Capital City soldiers.
With 17 minutes played, Olson Kanjira’s long-range shot missed Richard Chimbamba’s right-hand post by an inch for a goal kick.
After the half-hour mark, Kondowe should have doubled his tally when his attempt was saved by Banda. From the rebound, Babatunde committed a foul on Herbert Wayekha inside the box.
At 35 minutes, Banda pulled another excellent save, this time around, denying Babatunde from increasing our tally when the forward was found unmarked by Wongani Lungu’s diagonal pass.
The remaining minutes of the opening period saw us pressing for another goal, but Banda came into the fold with brilliant saves.
In the 38th minute, he made a stunning save to prevent Kondowe from doubling his tally. Banda conceded a corner kick, which he later dealt with.
In the final five minutes, Bullets had one more chance to bury the visitors completely, but Banda was at it again with the final save of the half.
After the recess, Pasuwa brought in Blessings Mpokera for Mologeni while Kamanga introduced Sherrif Maulana and Christopher Mtambo for Martias Nyirenda and Chifundo Makawa.
KB started the second half from where they stopped in the opening 45 minutes, keeping possession but failing to make the right decisions in the final third.
For Bullets, it was just a matter of protecting their lead and possibly adding another goal to be on the safe side.
With time running out, KB midfielder Lloyd Mugala went wide with an ambitious shot in the 48th minute.
In the 53rd minute, Gomezgani Chirwa conceded a freekick when he brought down Sammy Chiponda closer to Bullets’ penalty area.
Hope Namadzunda stepped up to send the ball into the box, and Kanjira was there to power it home, but his header couldn’t stand as the second assistant referee, McHastings Kanjati, had already raised his flag for offside. That was a warning to Bullets, who organised themselves to keep the door shut for Kamanga’s men.
We had a chance to double our tally in the 67th minute when Petro made an excellent run to the right flank before sending a low cross to the unmarked Babatunde; however, the Nigerian, in a one-on-one situation with Banda, failed to connect as the ball went off target for a throw-in.
Kamanga made two more changes. He brought Humphreys Minandi and Sammy Chibvunde to replace the injured Wayekha and Kanjira and add more firepower upfront.
The defending champions doubled their lead in the 73rd minute. KB conceded a free-kick over 30 yards from goal, and Mpokera stepped up to send his effort past Banda, beating the goalie to his right-hand side, 2-0.
Bullets should have scored two more goals in succession, but Kondowe, instead of passing to his teammates, opted to take matters into his own hands and missed clear-cut chances.
Pasuwa made a triple substitution, introducing Chawanangwa Gumbo, Maxwell Phodo, and Chikumbutso Salima for Babatunde, Petro, and the first goal scorer.
Salima’s introduction brought more rhythm to our side. However, we kept missing chances.
In the 88th minute, Lloyd Aaron was introduced for Wongani Lungu.
The People’s Team had their final chance in the additional minutes when Salima dribbled past four KB players before setting up Phodo in a one-on-one situation, but the forward fired straight at Banda.
Despite KB’s push for a consolation goal, Bullets stood firm and advanced to another cup final in the 2024 season.
What it means
After eliminating Kamuzu Barracks from the Airtel Top 8, we will face Silver Strikers in the final, which will be played at the same Bingu National Stadium on Saturday.
Looking forward
Before taking on the Central Bankers, Bullets will switch to the TNM Super League midweek fixture against Mighty Tigers at Kamuzu Stadium on Wednesday.
