Silver sends BB packing

Silver are through to the semi-finals of the Fisd Challenge Cup after outsmarting Nyasa Big Bullets  3-2 in post-match penalty shootouts yesterday at the Bingu National Stadium in Lilongwe

Silver had to come from behind to force the game to be decided through the post-match penalties.

Striker Michael Tetteh cancelled Chimwemwe Idana goal in the 78th minute.

In the penalty shoot-outs, Khuda Muyaba missed while Young Chimodzi Jnr had his penalty saved by Bullets goal keeper Ernest Kakhobwe.

Duncan Nyoni,  Mark Fodya, and Thuso Paipi converted their spot kicks.

Sankhani Mkandawire, Gomezgani Chirwa and Dalitso Sailesi failed to convert their spot kicks.

Only Fischer Kondowe and Charles Petro scored their penalties. 

Both teams started the game cautiously  and there were no goals in the first-half.

But there was more urgency after recess with  both teams pressing for a goal.

Bullets scored just a minute after recess.

Peter Banda’s low cross from the  left was cleared by goalkeeper Brighton Munthali but the ball landed in the path of Idana who slotted the ball into the bottom corner to send the huge Bullets fans into jubilation.

Chiukepo Msowoya nearly doubled the lead soon after but he missed the ball as he was aiming to shoot.

To add punch into their game Silver introduced  Thuso Paipi and Levison Maganizo for Jack Chiona and Maxwell Gasteni, respectively

Bullets suffered a setback when Hassan Kajoke got injured in the  55th minute and was replaced  by Sailesi.

Munthali came to the rescue of Silver again in the  69th  minute  stopping Idana shot.

Silver levelled in the 78th  minute through Tetteh who was unmarked in the box and calmly shot past Kakhobwe  from a Duncan Nyoni cross.

Bullets introduced experienced Fischer  Kondowe for Mike Mkwate  with a minute before full time as the game went into penalty shootouts.

Silver technical director Young Chimodzi was all smiles as the bankers target another trophy  to add to their 2019 Airtel Top 8.

“I must commend the resilience of our players. After a goal down we did not fold but got energised and played with purpose and we deservedly equalised. Penalties are not predictable but we won,” he said in post match interviews.

Bullets coach Calisto Pasuwa wore a dissapoonted face.

” It was a game we controlled and should have won. But a lapse in defence gave the a goal and got them back into the game. It’s painful to lose in penalties,” he said.