FCB Nyasa Big Bullets Reserves edged closer to a spot in the 2024 ThumbsUp Southern Region Football League quarter-finals with a 1-0 victory over Ekhaya United on Sunday afternoon at Kamuzu Stadium.
A spectacular strike from Macray Chiwaya early in the second half settled our 12th Blantyre derby this season.
What happened
Our youngsters may have been out of action for a month but showed no sign of rustiness as they made a lively start.
Looking to issue an early statement, Bullets camped in the visitors’ half and created several chances, but they could not find the back of the net.
Gift Lamowa, Mussah Bwanali, and Chiwaya were presented with clear chances but fluffed them all.
A strong and dominant start from our reserves was preceded by a spell by the visiting side, which looked to have found their foot towards the end of the first half but lacked real threat going forward.
Having created more but getting less in the opening half, coach Enos Chatama was forced to make a half-time change by bringing on Hadji Steven for Lamowa.
Instantly, Steven made an impact, outpacing his marker down the left before setting up Chiwaya who produced an exquisite finish into the far corner four minutes into the second half.
From then on, we saw a desperate Ekhaya pushing forward while we clung hard to our control.
Chatama made another change with 12 minutes to go when he withdrew the yellow-carded Sladge Sanudi.
Despite their push for an equaliser, the visitors could only manage one attempt on goal, and we went on to claim a vital victory, our second in our last three meetings against them.
What it means
With Sunday’s vital win, the junior Bullets have 34 points, which keeps them in position three in Group B. They are a point behind the second-placed Nyambadwe FC, who have played three games more than us.
With five games to go before the group stages are wrapped up, our lads have mathematically made it into the top four.
Chatama post-Ekhaya
“It was a tough game, a game of periods. We had our moments in the first half, and we created numerous chances but never got a goal. We pressurised them early in the second half and got a goal. We then dropped a bit and looked to hit them on the counter, we knew they would come hard at us. We had further chances after scoring but did not convert them. All in all, this was a sweet victory.”
Looking forward
After collecting all three points against our city rivals, the boys have three days to recover and regroup before travelling to Monkey Bay, where we will face MDF Marine.
