FCB Nyasa Big Bullets and Creck Sporting Club booked quarterfinal slots in the FDH Bank Cup following their Round of 16 victories yesterday.
Bullets thrashed third-tier league side The Boyz 3-0 at Kamuzu Stadium in Blantyre while Creck Sporting saw off Moyale Barracks 2-1 at Aubrey Dimba Stadium in Mchinji.
At Kamuzu Stadium, two first-half goals by midfielder Mike Mkwate and defender Blessings Mpokera and a second-half strike by attacker Chikumbutso Salima ensured the People’s Team were on the right track to their hunt for a third trophy in the competition in four years as they took the ultimate glory in 2022 and 2023.
Attacker Peter Banda deserved the credit for providing two assists.
Mpokera scored the first in the 41st minute before Mkwate doubled Bullets’ advantage two minutes later, tapping in from Banda’s cross into the box, for the first stanza to end 2-0.
In the second half, Bullets missed a myriad of scoring chances until Salima sealed the victory in a dramatic way in the 74th minute, when he received a pass from Banda on the right flank, dribbled past The Boyz goalkeeper Muhammad Liwewe and easily slotted into the empty net.
Last season, Bullets went on to reach the final and lost to eventual champions Blue Eagles, but assistant coach Gilbert Chirwa yesterday said their entry into the knockout stage signifies their determination to hunt for the ultimate glory.
He said The Boys proved a hard nut to crack for the better part of the first half but Bullets’ counter-attacks made the difference.
On his part, The Boyz coach Nzeru Saulosi thanked his charges for putting up a gallant fight.
He said: “It was just unfortunate the players couldn’t come out with a goal or most importantly, a win.”
At Aubrey Dimba Stadium, Creck scored in either half to earn a slot in the FDH Bank Cup last-eight stage for the first time.
Patrick Mupanzi broke the deadlock in the 37th minute before Frank Phiri made it 2-0 in the 55th minute. Charles Nkhoma notched Moyale’s consolation goal in the 83rd minute.
Creck coach Elia Kananji said it felt so good for his team to make the quarter-final grade for the first time.
