Bullets power into airtel top 8 final
FCB Nyasa Bullets yesterday beat Blue Eagles 3-2 to reach the final of the bAirtel Top 8 2023 edition at the Bingu National Stadium in Lilongwe.
Hassan Kajoke, Lanjesi Nkhoma and Ephraim Kondowe scored for Bullets while Christopher Gototo and Rapson Banda did it for the Lilongwe-based Eagles.
The People’s Team, who lost in last year’s final to their rivals Mighty Mukuru Wanderers on post-match penalties, led 2-0 at half time with Kajoke scoring in the sixth minute after a solo effort and Nkhoma cushioned the lead two minutes later.
Despite trailing 2-0, Eagles continued to make inroads in Bullets territory, but goalkeepr Rabson Chiyenda’s good reflexes denied Mecium Mhone a chance to score in the 18th minute.
On the other hand, Bullets also wasted a chance to put the match beyond Blue Eagles reach when Kajoke’sclose range shot from Peter Banda’s cross was saved by goalkeeper Chakonda Majanga.
In the 33rd minute Rapson Banda wasted a good chance for Eagles to reduce the deficit when he shot wide from inside the box.
Thus, the first half ended 2-0 in favour of Bullets.
In the second half, Blue Eagles brought in Gototo in place for Tonic Viyuyu. Gototo proved an instant impact as in the 53rd minute he headed home a Rapson Banda cross to keep Eagles in the game.
The goal energised Eagles who were all over Bullets in the first 20 minutes of this half.
Sensing danger, Bullets coach Kallisto Pasuwa made four substitutions, bringing Nickson Nyasulu, Ephraim Kondowe, Stanley Billiat and Precious Phiri for Nkhoma, Chawanangwa Gumbo, Kajoke and Peter Banda.
But Eagles still reigned supreme in ball possession and offensive drive.
Chiyenda again came to the rescue of Bullets in the 67th minute to deny an advancing Gilbert Chirwa an opportunity to shoot at goal.
In the 73rd minute, Bullets’ Kondowe nearly made it 3-1, but Majanga produced an agile double save to deny him.
The People’s Team again came close to extending the lead, but Patrick Mwaungulu, who was named Player of the Match, shot over the bar with only Majanga at his mercy.
Bullets breathed a sigh of relief in the 80th minute when Kondowe made it 3-1. He removed the shirt to celebrate his goal and referee David Chinoko rightly showed him a yellow card.
But before Bullets celebrations were over in the stands, Rapson Banda scored the second for Blue Eagles following a laspse in communication between defender Gomezgani Chirwa and goalkeeper Chiyenda.
Bullets coach Pasuwa attributed his charges’ struggle to fatigue and injuries.
“The number of games we have played, the injuries we have had and the number of days we are given to play has an effect on our performance. We also made some silly mistakes that could have cost us the game,” he said.
His counterpart, Eliah Kananji said they conceded soft goals.
“I think we could have done better. All the goals that Bullets scored were given on a silver platter.
