Clean sweep

FCB Nyasa Bullets yesterday completed a clean sweep on the domestic scene by adding Zamadolo Airtel Top 8 to their 2023 season collection after beating Mafco FC 1-2 at Kamuzu Stadium in Blantyre.

It has been absolute luxury for the People’s Team who underlined their dominance by completing a quintuple, having won the TNM Super League, NBS Bank Charity Shield, FDH Bank Cup and Ibongetse Castel Challenge Cup.

The hero of the afternoon in the red side of town was Lanjesi Nkhoma who scored a brace to ensure the K17 million Airtel money was in the bag.

To add spice up the victory   the Bullets winger was named the man of the match and won the tournament’s sixth edition golden boot which goes with a whopping K500 000 prize after scoring three goals.

There were electrifying sights and roaring sounds as Bullets supporters turned the stadium into a theatre of celebrations.

After the final whistle, they exploded as a tidal wave of triumph swept through their veins and stirred their vast nest of emotions into ecstasy.

The scenes were a wonder to behold.

Both teams started the game at ease, shaking off early lethargy by passing the ball around to get the feel of the action and later on, the collective heart was beating loudly with Bullets in cruise control as they found a fruitful avenue in the flanks.

They drew first blood in the 23rd minute when Nkhoma received a sweet pass from Anthony Mfune and did the rest to perfection with a simple left foot connection that sent Bullets fans into delirium.

Thirteen minutes later, the Salima-based Malawi Defence Force side drew level albeit in bizarre circumstances.

A well-curled free kick from Mphatso Philemon was flicked towards goal by Dan Chimbalanga resulting in a goal melee for Bullets defender Nickson Nyasulu to score in his own net.

It was an afternoon to forget for Nyasulu who failed to make up for the error when he failed to provide a winner from a spot-kick awarded after Aubrey Chafewa had fouled Maxwell Gasten Phodo in the 72nd minute.

His penalty kick was brilliantly kept out by Mafco goaltender Christopher Mikuwa, who had a grand game, but on pounced Nkhoma to provide the final flourish from the rebound.

The most enduring moment was Bullets coach Kallisto Pasuwa going on a lap of honour with the cup as the fans cheered in acknowledgement.

In a brief post-match interview he admitted that it was a tough match.

He said: “It wasn’t an easy game and we knew it would be tough.

“But in the end, we excelled because of our attacking prowess. They [Mafco] were hitting us on the break, but we contained them.”

Commenting on the clean sweep, the Zimbabwean tactician drew a long breath and said: “I thank God, management, fellow technical staff and, of course, the supporters for contributing towards the success. They all played a part.”

On his part, Mafco coach Pritchard Mwansa said: “It’s painful to lose twice to the same team in a cup final, but I guess that’s football.

“We’ll go back to the drawing board and come back better next season.”

Alongside Silver Strikers, they are the only teams to win it twice.