FCB Nyasa Big Bullets have successfully defended the Airtel Top 8 Cup after beating Silver Strikers 1-0 at a fully packed Bingu National Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
With this victory, The People’s Team became the first side to defend the cup and the first team to win it three times.
It was an excellent show of character for the defending champions, who closed down spaces to minimise the opponents’ shooting abilities as Ernest Petro’s 71st-minute header was the decider.
What happened
Kalisto Pasuwa made several changes to the side that beat Mighty Tigers 3-0 on Wednesday. He included Richard Chimbamba, Gomezgani Chirwa, Yankho Singo, Wongani Lungu, Ernest Petro, Alick Lungu, and Babatunde Adepoju in the starting XI.
Pasuwa’s charges started the game nervously, almost conceding a goal in the first minute, but Chimbamba was brilliant as he dealt well with Chimwemwe Idana’s dangerous ball into the box.
Peter Mponda’s men had their first set piece in the 12th minute. However, Uchizi Vunga’s cross was well-tamed by Nickson Nyasulu.
The two teams were able to pass the ball around in their halves, but the moment they moved into the offensive zone, they easily gave away possession, and neither of the attackers tested the two goalkeepers.
With 26 minutes played, Kalima’s long-range effort was deflected out for yet another corner kick, which Bullets successfully defended.
Just after the half-hour mark, Alick Lungu gave away the ball to Kalima in his defensive area, but Chirwa blocked the winger’s attempt for another set piece which, just like the previous two, was well defended.
Bullets were hit with a massive blow in the 35th minute when Chrispin Mapemba sustained an injury following a foul on him by Chikondi Kamanga. He was replaced by Chikumbutso Salima.
In the 40th minute, Petro failed to capitalise on a defensive relapse when the goal was at his mercy, but he produced a weaker shot that George Chikooka easily saved.
In the 43rd minute, Salima’s effort from the set piece pierced the defensive wall but could not find a way past the outstretched Chikooka. The shot-stopper’s save kept the scoreline at goalless.
There weren’t many goal-scoring chances in the remaining minutes of the opening half, and the two teams went to the recess at 0-0.
After the interval, Pasuwa brought in Maxwell Phodo for Ephraim Kondowe to switch Babatunde to the number 9 position.
This half saw Bullets improve in terms of keeping possession but pose no threat to Silver’s goal as the Bankers defended well to protect their area.
It was a similar story for the hosts, whose attempts at penetrating Bullets’ defensive third fell short under the watchful eye of the back four. Nyasulu and Chirwa each made vital stops.
Mponda then introduced Charles Chipala and Levison Maganizo for Vunga and Binwell Katinji, who was completely marked by Bullets’ centre-backs.
The hosts remained on the front foot, entering opposition territory quite regularly without really threatening the visitors’ penalty box.
Pasuwa introduced Lloyd Aaron for Wongani Lungu in the 65th minute to try to gain some mileage in the midfield and possibly tame Silver’s pace when going forward.
The moment that all Bullets fans had been waiting for arrived in the 71st minute. Salima played a short corner to Lungu, and the left-back beat his marker before sending a million-dollar cross that met Petro, and our number 10 defied the force of gravity to produce a powerful header past Chikooka into the back of the net, 0-1.
This goal rejuvenated Bullets, but the visitors were defending with caution to avoid conceding.
The Bankers brought in Stain Davie and Misheck Seleman for Kalima and Kamanga, a clear indication of a very offensive side looking for an equaliser.
Seleman made a brilliant run in the 74th minute and delivered a brilliant pass that went across Bullets’ goal as Gift Chunga, failed to pounce.
The Bankers were knocking at Bullets’ door, but the defensive wall of Nyasulu and Chirwa handled every cross into the box well.
With ten minutes left to play, Pasuwa substituted Petro and Precious Phiri with Frank Willard and Yamikani Mologeni.
Bullets should have buried the game in the 85th minute when Salima got the better of Daniel Sandukira before sending an excellent ball into the area. With the goal at his mercy, the forward’s bouncing header swirled over the crossbar, leaving every red fanatic in total disbelief.
That missed chance would have punished Bullets because, at the other end, a cross from Seleman saw Chimbamba miss the ball. As the goalkeeper was already out of his line, the ball landed favourably at Chunga, who released a thunderous shot that Mologeni cleared before crossing the line.
90 minutes on the clock, five were to be added. Silver threw more numbers in front in a desperate bid to at least score and take the game to penalties, but Bullets defended in numbers, making every landfall into the box their business to protect their lead.
In the end, Bullets smiled as referee Mayamiko Kanjere blew his whistle to mark the end of the match.
What it means
This massive win means Bullets have added a trophy to their cabinet as they go to the international break.
