Bullets beat arch-rivals to reach FDH Cup quarter-finals
FCB Nyasa Bullets on Sunday proved that form is temporary while class is permanent when they put up a vintage performance to triumph 2-1 against arch-rivals Mighty Mukuru Wanderers in FDH Bank Cup Round of 16 at Kamuzu Stadium in Blantyre.
Nigerian forward Babatunde Adepoju punished his former club with a brace in the first-half while Cameroonian Thierry consolation in the 86th minute.
Prior to the match, the odds were stuck against the defending champions who are struggling in the TNM Super League, having registered just four wins out of 14 games in this campaign.
Wanderers, on the other hand, went into the match bubbling with confidence as they lie second to Silver Strikers on the table.
Yet the Nomads’ overconfidence proved to be their undoing as they conceded just a minute into the match when Babatunde connected midfielder Chikumbutso Salima’s cross to beat Wanderers goalkeeper Dalitso Khungwa.
The early goal surprised not only the Nomads. Even the red and white sea that covered the northern stands took a second before they understood that they had taken the lead.
Babatunde then completed a brace in 26th minute with a low shot after Gastin Phodo flicked a sleek pass from Salima in the box.
While the first goal was a surprise, the second made Bullets fans mad with ecstasy.
Wanderers, who realised they made a mistake by sending a boy to do a man’s job in goals, took out Khungwa and introduced William Thole.
The move paid off as Thole kept the rampaging Bullets at bay, but it was too late to save the Nomads.
Even after substitute Sama, who replaced Christopher Kumwembe, pulled one back with four minutes before the end of regulation time, Bullets still carried the day and booked a place in the quarter-finals.
The victory was a big boost for underfire Bullets coach Kallisto Pasuwa who praised his charges for a splendid performance.
He said: “You could see the anger for them to win.”
For Wanderers tactician Meck Mwase, it was big blow to his search for silverware this season.
He, however, said to they will go back to their camp and regroup for next matches.
