Bullets beat Silver Striker to win Castel Cup

FCB Nyasa Bullets have won the inaugural K320 million  Castel Challenge Cup after beating Silver Strikers 4-2 on post-match penalty shootout at the Bingu National Stadium in Lilongwe.

The People’s Team are now K50 million richer while the Central Bankers received K25 million in prize money.

It was an exciting cup final watched by a huge crowd.

Before the teams went into the pitch on Saturday, Castel Malawi management had set the hype since Friday with township storms accompanied by music performances.

Fans witnessed top action, especially in the first half, but the match finished 1-1 in open play despite that both teams created many chances.

Atusaye Nyondo’s goal in the eighth minute gave the Central Bankers the lead after Bullets questioned  referee Gift Chico’s decision not to award them a penalty in the third minute when Emmanuel Kaunga appeared to have handled the ball.

But Bullets levelled through Lanjesi Nkhoma in the 24th minute.

Bullets were then dealt a setback in the 66th minute after goalkeeper Richard Chimbamba suffered an injury and was substituted for Clever Mkungula.

In the shootout, Yamikani Fodya, Hassan Kajoke, Clyde Senaje and Precious Phiri converted their spot kicks.

Chimwemwe Idana and Maxwell Paipi were on target for Silver, but Nickson Mwase and Chinsinsi Maonga’s penalties were saved by Mkungula.

Bullets added the Castel Challenge Cup to their TNM Super League and FDH Bank Cup. They can finish with a quadruple if they to beat Mafco in the Airtel Top 8 final next week.

Castel Challenge Cup is the country’s richest to the tune of K320 million per season, with the winner getting K50 million runners-up  walked away with K25 million. Semi-finalists and quarter-finalists will get K10 million and K5 million each respectively while those eliminated in the round of 16 will receive K1.5 million each.