Bullets cash K30m cheque
FCB Nyasa Big Bullets will today head into one of FDH Bank plc branches with their heads held high to cash the K30 million FDH Bank Cup winner’s cheque after successfully defending the title with a 3-0 victory over Mafco FC at Bingu National Stadium in Lilongwe yesterday.
There were captivating scenes as Bullets players turned the arena into a theatre of celebrations and the toast of the afternoon was two-goal hero Lanjesi Nkhoma.
He drew first blood in the sixth minute before doubling the advantage six minutes later to give his side an edge going into the second half.
Ephraim Kondowe killed the game with a fine tap-in five minutes after recess with Mafco players looking visibly demoralised.
It was game over!
The great atmosphere that had gripped the stadium came to a climax when Minister of Youth and Sports Uchizi Mkandawire and FDH Bank plc managing director Noel Mkulichi, accompanied by Football Association of Malawi president Walter Nyamilandu, handed the coveted trophy to Bullets stand-in captain Precious Sambani.
On the pitch, the action was instant, setting an exciting pace.
Mafco had a bad start to the game losing Walusungu Mpata through injury barely three minutes into the match and was replaced by David Dauda.
Things got worse for the Malawi Defence Force outfit when Nkhoma struck in the sixth minute. Stanley Billiat made a clever run on the right, outpacing Mafco defenders and laid a fine pass for unmarked Nkhoma to score.
Nkhoma made it 2-0 in the 12th minute and this time, Patrick Mwaungulu provided the assist to spark early celebrations for the red and white clad fans who dominated the terraces.
Bernard Chimaimba nearly pulled one back for Mafco in the 28th minute, but he headed over the bar from close range.
Bullets could have gone four up had Mwaungulu, who was named man-of-the-match, not been selfish as he shot over instead of passing to a well positioned Billiat.
Bullets made two changes at half-time bringing in Blessings Mpokera and Hassan Kajoke for Lanjesi Nkhoma and Stanley Billiat while the Salima-based soldiers introduced Ernest Tambe for Paul Phiri.
But it was again Bullets who had a better start.
Kondowe scored the third goal for Bullets in the 52nd minute with a composed finish from a Mwaungulu precise free-kick.
The goal put the game beyond Mafco’s reach and they never recovered as Bullets reigned supreme and the margin could have been wider had Bullets forwards been more composed.
With the changes, Bullets continued the onslaught and luckily for Mafco, no further goals came due to wastefulness on Bullets’ part.
