National Sports

BB retain FAM Charity Shield

 

Nyasa Big Bullets yesterday retained the Football Association of Malawi (FAM) Charity Shield after outclassing Silver Strikers  3-0 at Bingu National Stadium in Lilongwe.

It is Bullets’ third consecutive time to win the shield since its inception in 2016.

Lilongwe-based Silver beat TNM Super League champions Be Forward Wanderers 2-0 to book a final date against Bullets.

Nyasa Big Bullets

The Bankers, with an unchanged squad from the team that defeated Wanderers, were simply flat. Their midfield was not aggressive, the defence not alert and the striking force as blunt as zero.

Bullets made a few changes from the squad that beat Kamuzu Barracks (KB) 2-1 the previous day. Goalkeeper Ernest Kakhobwe paved the way for Rabson Chiyenda while Sankhani Mkandawire replaced John Lanjesi.

Within five minutes Bullets surged ahead when Chiukepo Msowoya headed home a corner-kick from left-back Yamikani Fodya.

Silver fought hard and pushed for an equaliser but strikers Mphatso Phillemon and Binwell Katinji missed a host of clear-cut chances.

Bullets extended their lead barely two minutes before half-time recess when a counter-attack released Msowoya. His terrific shot eluded goalkeeper Brighton Munthali.

The People’s Team continued to attack in the second half and netted their third when Precious Phiri rose the highest to nod the ball into the net.

Silver seemingly gave up the fight as they did little to fight back as the match wore on while Bullets continued to create chances.

Bullets team manager James Chilapondwa said the triumph was a clear sign that they are ready for the new TNM Super League season which kicks off next weekend.

“We are pleased to be champions of the Shield for the third. We just hope to carry this form into the new season,” he said.

KB came third after defeating Wanderers 1-0 in a earlier match. Striker Diouf Simaone was the loan scorer.

FAM commercial and marketing director Limbani Matola said they were pleased with the way the tournament was organised and patronised.

He said they targeted to raise K10 million from the competition which will go towards Ekwendeni School for the Blind in Mzimba.

“During the first day we raised K8 million. We are still reconciling how much we have raised from the final match. But there are strong indications that we will achieve our target,”  he said. n

 

Related Articles

Back to top button