FCB Nyasa Big Bullets have progressed to the semifinals of the Airtel Top 8 with a 2-0 aggregate win over Civil Service United.
The two sides drew 0-0 at Civo Stadium on Saturday afternoon. The defending champions went into the tie with a two-goal advantage over the Servants, courtesy of Stanley Billiat and Chawanangwa Gumbo’s strikes at Kamuzu Stadium last month.
What happened
Kalisto Pasuwa made several changes to the squad that thrashed Kumanda All Stars 22-1 in the Castel Challenge Cup Round of 64 last Wednesday.
Innocent Nyasulu, Gomezgani Chirwa, Yankho Singo, and Babatunde Adepoju returned to the starting XI.
The visitors had a chance in the 13th minute when Chrispin Mapemba’s in-swinging corner kick was tipped over the crossbar by Blessings Juma for another setpiece, which Pasuwa’s men could not utilise.
Moments later, Babatunde had a chance to score in the 18th minute when he got the better of John Dambuleni. Unfortunately, our forward’s volley missed Juma’s right-hand post by an inch.
Bullets had another opportunity moments later when Stanley Billiat was found unmarked in the box by Yamikani Mologeni’s excellent pass, but the winger fired wide.
The home side suffered a blow in the 23rd minute when their captain, Moses Banda, was injured and replaced by Oscar Luwale.
With 30 minutes played, the Servants had yet to register a shot at goal, but Bullets had another opportunity to punish the opponents. However, Chawanangwa Gumbo’s header went wide from close range.
Two minutes after the half-hour mark, Pasuwa made a change when he brought in Maxwell Phodo for Ernest Petro.
With four minutes left to play in the opening period, Christopher Gototo and Kingsley Benson replaced Damiano Kunje and Sammy Phiri for the hosts in their search for a goal that would have kept their hopes alive.
The two teams went for the break without a goal.
After the recess, Pasuwa introduced Lameck Gamphani and Chikumbutso Salima for Billiat and Precious Phiri.
It took 12 minutes in the second half for Bullets to register a shot at goal when Salima delivered a very dangerous cross into the box, which Juma tamed. From there, Civil launched a counterattack through Chifundo Ngapenga, Blessings Malinda, and Chikaiko Batison, who only had Nickson Nyasulu and Chirwa to beat. However, they failed to capitalise as they quickly gave away possession.
Bullets introduced Wongani Lungu for Gumbo.
Bullets pressed, Civil faltered, but a goal couldn’t come as the hosts defended with everything to frustrate the visitors.
Civil brought Festus Duwe, Foster Bitoni for Ngapenga, and Righteous Banda. But they couldn’t create any meaningful chances to at least pose any threat to Bullets.
Pasuwa made his fourth substitution when he brought in Lloyd Aaron for Babatunde.
Phodo had a chance to score in the 87th minute when he received a pass from Gamphani, but Juma easily saved his weaker attempt.
In the additional minutes, Bullets had two more chances, which the defending champions could not take advantage of.
We won a free kick on the right flank of the attacking third following Dambuleni’s foul on Salima. Mapemba stepped up to fire at goal, Juma fumbled his attempt, and from the rebound, Gamphani sent his weaker header straight at the goalkeeper, who was well-positioned to handle the situation. In the end, 0-0 was the result.
What it means
Saturday’s result means Bullets have progressed to the semifinals of the Airtel Top 8 for a fourth consecutive season since its launch in 2017.
In the semis, we will face the winner between Chitipa United and Kamuzu Barracks. The two teams will battle for the last-four slot on Sunday at the same venue.
What next
The People’s Team will return to Blantyre and switch focus to the Blantyre derby against Mighty Mukuru Wanderers in the TNM Super League next Saturday.
