Bullets fire warning shots
There was a heavy downpour yesterday before the Airtel Top 8 quarter-finals first leg between Nyasa Big Bulletsand Karonga United kicked off at Kamuzu Stadium in Blantyre.
And when the match started, the goals rained as well as Bullets started the title defence in an uncompromising mood, thrashing Karonga United 7-0 in a one-sided affair.
Striker Anthony Mfune started the rout in the 13th minute with a simple tap in after he was put through by midfielder Thomson Magombo in a move initiated by Patrick Mwaungulu.
But following an injury, Mfune was substituted for the 2021 Airtel Top 8 Golden Boot winner Babatunde Adepoju.
Bullets continued their assault using the flanks through full backs Gomezgani Chirwa and Precious Sambani.
In the 30th minute, Chirwa sent a dipping cross from the right flank which found Lanjesi Nkhoma poised for another simple tap in.
Karonga United had two chances from Victor Chirambo and Mphatso Kamanga, but Bullets goalkeeper Clever Nkungula was equal to the job, stopping their shots with ease.
Against the run of play, Bullets scored the third goal in the 43rd minute.
Sambani’s cross from the left was cleared in the path of Nkhoma, who exchanged a one two with Mwaungulu before curling it into the top corner.
After recess, Karonga United coach Christopher Nyambose took out goalkeeper Munthali for Gift Mwazembe.
But Bullets had no mercy and hit four more past the substitute goalkeeper. Shortly after coming in, Mwazembe conceded the fourth in the 52nd minute looped the ball over the goalkeeper after he was played in by Mwaungulu.
Karonga wasted an opportunity to reduce the deficit when Sherrif Shamama shot wide from a free kick on the edge of the box following a foul on Kamanga by Hadji Wali.
Bullets coach Kallisto Pasuwa made a triple substitution, introducing midfielders Ernest Petro, Stanley Billiat and Henry Kabichi to replace Chimwemwe Idana, Magombo and Nkhoma respectively.
Billiat hit the fifth in the 82nd minute from an inviting square pass from Babatunde. Two minutes later Kabichi made it 6-0 with a half volley just outside the box.
Substitute Precious Phiri, who replaced Chirwa, made it 7-0 in the 90th minute.
For Pasuwa, it was a good response after he lost his first game this season to Mafco in the league.
The tactician said they will finish the job when the sides meet in Karonga for the second leg on November 26.
Nyambose admitted in a post-match interview that it would be an uphill task to upset the tables.
He said: “It will be tough. I can’t say that we will manage to score seven goals or not. But we will ensure that we win at home. Today we gave them a lot of respect.
That will not happen at home.”
Action in the cup resumes today as Mighty Mukuru Wanderers host Mafco at the same venue.
