FCB Nyasa Bullets yesterday bagged their fourth Airtel Top 8 Trophy after beating Silver Strikers 4-3 in post-match penalties at Bingu National Stadium in Lilongwe to cart home K35 million winner’s purse.
It was also the third successive triumph for the People’s Team in the competition.
To add extra spice, the People’s Team sponsors First Capital Bank (FCB) announced that the players will be rewarded with K500 000 each as a token of appreciation for the feat, translating to K10 million for the 20 players.
In a contest that shredded the nerves of the fans from start to finish, normal time could not decide the winner as the two teams played out a 1-1 draw and the game had to be decided through penalties.
Dominic Musonda, Andrew Jovinala, Blessings Mpokera and Ephraim Kondowe were on target for Bullets whereas Hassan Kajoke shot over.
On the other hand, Chinsinsi Maonga, Maxwell Paipi and Zebron Kalima converted their spot-kicks for Silver while Chisomo Mpachika had his effort saved by Innocent Nyasulu.
Silver’s Levison Maganizo missed the decisive penalty when he shot over the bar to send Bullets supporters into frenzy. Ironically, he also missed a penalty in the 2021 edition against Bullets.
The main highlight of the first half was when Bullets’ Nigerian forward Babatunde Adepoju’s penalty was saved by Silver’s goalkeeper George Chikooka after 14 minutes.
The penalty was awarded after Chikumbutso Salima was fouled in the box.
Despite the disappointment, Bullets kept on fighting and nearly went up in the 27th minute.
Silver conceded a free-kick just outside the box after Chikooka handled the ball outside the 18-yard box. But Chikooka made up for his mistake with an acrobatic save, stopping a well-taken free-kick by Wongani Lungu
At the start of the second half, Bullets introduced Emphraim Kondowe and Peter Banda for Adepoju and Mike Mkwate.
Bullets took the lead through Maxwell Phodo in the 49th minute who headed past Chikooka from Banda’s corner -kick.
Soon after the goal, Silver coach Peter Mgangira made changes, resting Chinsinsi Maonga and Innocent Ntonga for Binwell Katinji and Innocent Shema, respectively.
It was a tactical decision that rewarded Mgangira as Silver started dominating play and pushing forward in numbers.
The hosts deservedly got the equaliser in the 64th minute through Stain Davie via a header.
Both teams continued to create chances to try and win the game in normal time, but both ‘kjeepers produced some fine saves to force the game into penalty shootouts.
Bullets coach Peter Mponda said: “We had the fighting spirit and it won us the game. I salute my players.”
On his part, Mgangira said: “Congratulations to Bullets. It was a tough final. I am not happy with the result, but I am proud of my players.”
