Defending champions FCB Nyasa Bullets will face Silver Strikers in the Airtel Top 8 final after a 2-0 victory over Kamuzu Barracks on Sunday at Bingu National Stadium in Lilongwe.
Bullets scored through Ephraim Kondowe in the first minute.
The People’s Team could have scored more goals, but Hastings Banda’s brilliant goalkeeping saved his team.
The only threat from Kamuzu Barracks was a long-range powerful shot from Olson Kanjira which zoomed narrowly wide.
After recess, Kondowe also failed to score from a Crispin Mapemba pass.
Kamuzu Barracks thought they had equalised in the 56th minute through Kanjira, but the referee ruled the goal out for offside.
In the 67th minute, Babatunde missed in the 18-yard box after a good pass from Ernest Petro.
But Bullets survived Kamuzu Barracks’ storm and calmed the nerves of their supporters in the 73rd minute after Blessings Mpokera curled a long-range free-kick which gave Kamuzu Barracks goalkeeper Banda no chance.
In a post-match interview, Bullets coach Kallisto Pasuwa gave his players credit.
He said: “Our opponents were very compact and played well. But we were a threat. We scored that early goal that made a difference.
“If we hadn’t scored that early goal it could have been tough for us. Then we added the intensity in the second half and scored the second.”
Kamuzu Barracks coach Charles Kamanga admitted that they struggled.
He said: “Fatigue played a crucial role in our defeat today. It’s not that I am making an excuse, but it’s just the truth. Playing three games every week is not easy.
“But I must congratulate Bullets for the victory. They came with a plan and it worked. We had a plan, but we did not implement it.”
