It was an afternoon of mixed fortunes in the 2024 FDH Bank Cup Round of 16 as holders FCB Nyasa Bullets marched on with a thumping victory while TNM Super League leaders Silver Strikers fell by the way side.
Bullets exorcised the demons haunting them in the Super League with a convincing 0-5 victory over Bangwe All Stars at Kamuzu Stadium in Blantyre.
On the other hand, Silver lost on post-match penalties to Blue Eagles, which was relegated from the Super League last season at Nankhaka Ground in the Capital City.
For Bullets, wonderkid Patrick Mwaungulu and Chikumbutso Salima scored a brace each while Babatunde Adepoju ended his goal drought on a sunny afternoon.
However, the People’s Team had to endure a frustrating goalless first-half as the rookies held their own to thwart Bullets’ search for goals.
After a month without a win, Bullets diehards were sceptical if this cup game would be different.
But after missing several chances in the first-half, including hitting the post twice through Mwaungulu and Lanjesi Nkhoma, Bullets netted five past Bangwe goalkeeper Precious Mlotiwa.
Bangwe were not completely bad as Aubrey Maloya’s volley hit the post after a blunder by Bullets goalkeeper Innocent Nyasulu who left his line.
But after recess, Bullets became clinical and composed and went on to score the five goals with so much ease.
Mwaungulu opened the score sheet in the 52nd minute with a simple tap-in from Salima’s assist.
Impressive Salima then netted his first goal in the 69th minute from a rebound after Bangwe defence cleared Mwaungulu’s dipping cross.
Enjoying one of his best games, Salima made it a brace in the 84th minute from substitute Crispin Mapemba’s assist.
Then substitute Babatunde made it 4-0 after Mwaungulu laid it down for the Nigerian in the 87th minute following an exchange of passes with Aaron.
Even before Bullets supporters finished celebrating the fourth goal, Mwaungulu curled in a low shot outside the box to make it 5-0 and wrap up the day in style.
The victory was a relief to Bullets coach Kallisto Pasuwa after a winless June better forgotten than remembered.
The Zimbabwean tactician said: “We missed so many chances in the first-half.
“We came in good in the second-half. The boys were getting into the right position and at the right time.”
On his part Bangwe coach Rogers Yasin said they lost it in the second-half.
He said: “Luck was not on our side. We told the boys what to do but they lost concentration.”
At Nankhaka, Chipiku Central Region Football League side Blue Eagles eliminated TNM Super League leaders Silver Strikers from the FDH Bank Cup with 5-3 win through penalty shootouts.
The game attracted a large crowd but could not produce goals in regulation time.
The game was decided on post-match penalties with Eagles converting through Micium Mhone, Andrew Jovinala, Ganizani James, Jacob Roberts and Ranken Mwale.
However, Innocent Shema missed for the Central Bankers after his penalty was saved by Joshua Waka. Chimwemwe Idana, Maxwell Paipi and Nickson Mwase scored for Silver.
In a post-match interview, Silver Strikers coach Peter Mponda expressed his disappointment at the early exit.
“We didn’t play at our optimum best. Complacency crept in our game, and simply, put Silver did not show up today. It’s really disappointing. We failed to create chances, failed to control possession. But I must also give credit to Blue Eagles as they really put up great work,” he said.
In his part, Eagles coach Elia Kananji said the win was a fitting revenge.
“Last year, Silver booted us out of the tournament at semifinal level. I told the boys prior to the match to make sure we pay back. It was a good performance from the boys. We were unfortunate not to win the game in normal time. But all the same we did it,” he said.
In other results, Moyale Barracks thrashed Chintheche United 8-1 and Karonga United beat Mzuzu City Hammers 2-1.
