FCB Nyasa Big Bullets have reached the semi-finals of the Castel Challenge Cup after beating MMM Marine 3-1 yesterday at Dedza Stadium.
It took the defending champions 19 minutes to breach Marine Unit defensive lines.
At half-time, Bullets took a comfortable 2-0 lead through Lloyd Aaron and Wongani Lungu’s goals.
Aaron put Bullets in the lead with an intelligent goal after beating Marine goalkeeper Yes Nyirenda to let loose a thunderous shot into the net
Soon after the goal, Precious Phiri’s header went begging across the goal-mouth to the relief of Nyirenda who was out of position.
The visitors added the second with three minutes before half-time.
Aaron was set up by Wongani Lungu, who was well-positioned outside the box and he picked his spot outwitting goalkeeper t Nyirenda.
The second half was delayed before starting because of rains as the pitch was submerged in water.
After resumption, it took the hosts eight minutes to reduce the arrears through Alex Mbewe.
But Bullets extended the lead in the 62nd minute through Lungu’s goal.
Marine tried to come back into the game but goalkeeper Richard Chimbamba came to the rescue of Bullets and they held their nerves to win the game 3-1.
Bullets coach Kallisto Pasuwa in a post-match interview said he was happy with the win, but bemoaned the bad pitch.
“We were in control of the match before the rain came and we could have killed the game then. After the rains, the other side was better than us and they scored, but then we scored another goal and we settled well,” he said.
Marine Unit coach Kenwood Nkhoma said he was proud of his players despite the loss.
“We played good football. What cost us is that we lost concentration and poor defending. Like the first goal instead of the defender going to press he retreated. It was the same case with the second goal,” he said.
