BB in cup finals, Nomads were under pressure
Bullets’ Manyenje
A three-minute Jimmy Zakazaka superb volley yesterday sent Big Bullets FC into the finals of the Carlsberg Cup at the expense of their rivals Mighty Wanderers at Civo Stadium in Lilongwe.
Industrious Mussa Manyenje, formerly of Epac FC, made a good run in Wanderers left flank and let a cross inside the box. An advancing Zakazaka was on time to connect past Nomads goaltender Bester Phiri.
The early goal kept the Nomads under pressure for the entire first-half as Bullets dominated ball possession.
The Nomads could not muster a worthwhile offence to unlock Bullets defence which comprised Pilirani Zonda, Sankhani Mkandawire and Yamikani Fodya.
Wanderers nearly levelled the score line in the 9th minute after Francis Mulimbika’s well-taken free kick, but unmarked Bongani Kaipa, who was in the box, lacked composure.
The game had to be stopped for three minutes when Wanderers fans reacted by throwing missiles after referee Dennis Ngulube’s decision went against their team in the 39th minute.
An absorbing first-half forced Wanderers coach Gerald Phiri into a reshuffle with experienced Luka Milanzie being substituted for Mike Kaziputa. Tsanzo Dalio was substituted for Khumbo Ng’ambi.
With Kaziputa manning the midfield, Wanderers made a good recovery and were the first on the ball, but for all their domination, they created little to warrant them goals.
Zakazaka could have put Bullets two-up had he not been hesitant upfront in the 48th minute after a great ball from James Chilapondwa who was voted man-of-the-match.
The pace of Bullets on counterattack continued to unsettle Wanderers and Nomads seemed clueless. The Nomads could have sent the game into extra time in injury time but for Sparrow Msowoya to spoil the chance.
Mulimbika had floated a great ball into the box, but Msowoya headed into the palms of Bullets goalkeeper Vincent Gona. It was agony for Nomads fans as Ngulube blew the final whistle.
Bullets will either face Kamuzu Barracks or Zomba United who play today at Kamuzu Stadium.
“There was so much pressure considering that Bullets are our great rivals,” said Phiri after the match.
“We deserved to win because we created many chances. We could have easily buried the game in the first-half,” said Bullets coach Elia Kananji.
