It ended Nomads 9-8 Mafco in Balaka. While the stone that the builder rejected today turned into a corner stone when Mussa Manyenje rescued Big Bullets from the jaws of defeat with a late equaliser against Azam Tigers at the Kamuzu Stadium in Blantyre
However, it was James Chilapondwa’s s beauty at the stroke of full time that winged the Peoples Team into the semis of the Carlsberg Cup with a 2-1 in which they will face their arch-rivals Mighty Wanderers.
In Blantyre, Kau-Kau Boys surged ahead in the 18th minute through Frazer Menyani who outwitted the Bullets defence before unleashing a cracker past goalkeeper Vincent Gona.
Tigers appeared to be headed for a win, but not when you are playing Bullets who are known for their kumadzulo phenomenom.
Then with five minutes to full time, it happened when Manyenje who was a subject of ridicule for fluffing a plethora of chances in as many games finally rose to the ocassion with a volley past the Tigers goalminder and relief was the prevalent emotion not only among the Bullets faithful, but also to Manyenje.
Then Chilapondwa struck the fatal blow with a powerful shot from 30-yards, it was a beauty rarely seen on the domestic scene, the kind of goal that you see at the on-going global showcase that is the World Cup and it was game over.
And in Balaka, the toast of the day in the blue side of town was their captain and ‘keeper Richard Chipuwa who jumped athletically to keep out Mafco’s ninth penalty taken by Paul Ndlovu as the match seemmed to be headed towards a listless conclusion.
Then up stepped khumbo Ng’ambi to convert the decisive penalty and send the Nomads fans into delerium. In regulation time, Victor Mpinganjira, who is turning into as super substitute, put the NOmads ahead just seconds after being thrown into service, but Mafco equalised through Paul Phiri time.
