Christmas for Bullets

FCB Nyasa Bullets kept their quadruple dream on the boil when they beat their arch-rivals Mighty Mukuru Wanderers 4-2 on post-match penalties at Kamuzu Stadium in Blantyre yesterday to sail through to the final of the inaugural Ibongetse Castel Challenge Cup.

The match went into the dreaded penalty shootout after the two teams played out a one-all draw in regulation time and it was Bullets who gave their faithful a timely Christmas present.

The People’s Team, who are also in the final of the Airtel Top 8, face Silver Strikers in the final of the Ibongetse showpiece this Saturday.

Bullets already have the TNM Super League and FDH Bank Cup in their trophy cabinet. Absolute luxury.

On the other hand, the Nomads, who set out on an ambitious player shopping spree during off-season, spending over K30 million, have finished the season with nothing to show for it.

It was a sweet revenge for Bullets who lost in post-match penalties to Wanderers in the final of the Airtel Top 8 last season.

It was a trip down memory lane as the two teams turned back the hands of time  with a vintage display that ebbed and flowed from start to finish.

The latest episode of the Blantyre derby produced every angle of its unrivalled beauty and another chapter to charm those who believe in its volality, but in the end it was Bullets who had the bragging rights.

Bullets’ drew first blood in the 31st minute and it had to be none other than their wonderkid Patrick Mwaungulu.

He fired a first time shot from outside the 18-yard box which gave the Nomads’ goalkeeper William Thole no chance.

The blue side of town never gave up hope and they came into the second half with renewed purpose.

A minute after replacing Vincent Nyangulu, burly forward Christopher Kumwembe equalised for the Nomads with a stylish bicycle kick barely a minute into the second half.

For a moment, the fans watched starry-eyed as he stylishly provided the final flourish  mid-air, then boom! It was in the net.

From then on, the Nomads appeared to have an upper hand, but could not break their rivals’ solid defence.

In the shootout, Nomads captain Stanley Sanudi missed his spot-kick so did Vitumbiko Kumwenda while Francisco Mkonda and Peter Cholopi converted theirs.

On the other hand, Yamikani Fodya, Hassan Kajoke, Clyde Senaji and Precious Phiri converted their penalties for Bullets.

Time appeared to stand still as Phiri stepped up for the decisive penalty and as the stadium oozed anxiety, he coolly slotted it past Nomads goalkeeper Richard Chipuwa, who had been thrown in specifically for the penalties.

There was an explosion of joy that could be heard as far as Bullets’ traditional home, Ndirande Township as they celebrated their third final qualification while the Nomads trooped off with the tails between their legs.

Bullets coach Kallisto Pasuwa hailed his charges’ fighting spirit.

He said: “It always feels good to win a derby, no matter how. It is a plus for us to make it to the final. Regardless of the fatigue, the boys have managed to win the game.

“Now, we’ll have to switch our focus to the forthcoming final matches.”

His Wanderers counterpart Mark Harrison was in no mood to grant interviews, but goalkeeper trainer Simplex Nthala attributed the loss to bad luck.

“Penalties can go either way, but we tried our best,” he said.