BBN’kumadzulo
Nyasa Big Bullets are within sniffing distance from qualifying for the semi-finals of the 2018 Airtel Top 8 following their 1-0 victory over Moyale Barracks at Kalulu Stadium in Nchalo, Chikwawa, yesterday.
Diminutive forward Patrick Phiri grabbed the priceless winner with virtually the last kick of the game just when it appeared the two teams would share the spoils in the first leg match.
Phiri had just been thrown in as a substitute replacing Bright Munthali when he scored past helpless Moyale goalkeeper McDonald Harawa in the last minute of added time after a move of utter beauty involving him and Mike Nkwate and relief was the prevalent emotion in Bullets camp.
The goal underlined the ‘Bullets’ n’kumadzulo’ (never write off Bullets until the final whistle) syndrome.
The scales appeared to swing in Bullets’ way as they created chance after chance, but failed to make them count.
Chiukepo Msowoya twice missed from close range so did Precious Phiri, Nelson Kangunje and Munthali.
At one point, Chiukepo thought he had scored but was denied by the post after he had already started celebrating. He was also denied a goal for an infringement.
As time ticked on, Kalulu Stadium oozed anxiety as Bullets surged forward with swashbuckling verve, fashioning a host of scoring opportunities but failed to score until Phiri did it to perfection in the last minute of added time.
Moyale Barracks had their moments too and twice their talisman Gastin Simkonda’s attempts were blocked by goalkeeper Rabson Chienda.
The People’s Team defence, marshalled by captain John Lanjesi—who was named man-of-the-match—stood firm.
The Malawi Defence Force (MDF)-sponsored side’s coach Charles Kamanga accepted defeat.
“We will now plan for the return leg at home [in Mzuzu]. We are down, but not out. Anything is possible in football.
“But there were some crude tackles on my players and we felt the referee did not take a firm line,” he said.
On his part, Bullets assistant coach Elia Kananji said they were happy that despite a plethora of missed chances, they fought on until the last whistle.
“The battle is not over yet, we still have the second leg tie coming up and we will not relax. The introduction of Phiri towards the end was also by design because he is fast turning into our ‘super-sub’” he said.
Defending champions of the Airtel Top 8 Silver Strikers pipped their capital city rivals Civil Sporting Club by the same margin in the opening quarter-final match on Saturday through Newman Mwamsamale’s strike.
