…….Bullets 1-0 Civil
By Edwin Mbewe
LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-The FDH Bank Cup defending Champions FCB Nyasa Big Bullets survived Civil Service United’s scare in their quest to retain the title after snatching a late 1-0 winner at Kamuzu Stadium on Sunday in the quarterfinals.
Substitute Precious Phiri who was introduced in the game in the 88th minute replacing Stanley Billiat found the back of the net at 90+5 minutes from Babatunde Adepoju’s accurate cut-back into the box.
The Nigerian received the beautiful ball from former Civil United midfielder Lloyd Aaron before cutting the ball behind the defenders.
Bullets struggled in the first half as Civil Service United seemed to be well organized, they launched some dangerous attacks at the same time creating chances that they failed to convert into goals.
The People’s team Clyde Senaji’s long-range attempt was saved by a Civil shot-stopper in the 14th minute in the first before Blessings Malinda wasted a clear opportunity for the servants.
He made his way into the box but Richard Chimbamba was equally ready for the task and Bullets was saved.
As the match approached the half-hour mark, Civil continued dominating the play through Muhammad Biason and Chikaiko Batison.
Biason nearly broke the deadlock in the 24th minute when he got the better of Gomezgani Chirwa however his shot missed Bullets’ right-hand side post with a whisker.
Servants kept pushing for the FDH Bank loan but their questions were not answered till the last whistle for the first stanza was blown with the affair still at 0-0.
Second half Bullets came to a changed side and started outplaying Civil Service United but failed to score despite creating numerous chances through Chawanangwa Gumbo, Lloyd Aaron, and Maxwell Phodo among others their efforts were saved by Rahaman John in goals for Civil.
As time fast tick Bullets Tactician Kalisto Pasuwa introduced Precious Phiri who scored the precious goal with the final kick to send Bullets to the semifinals of the cup as soon as the match ended all Civil players lay on the ground in disbelief as they thought the fate will be decided through the post-match penalties.
Big Bullet’s Nickson Nyasulu was later voted player of the match for his outstanding performance.
Bullets coach Kalisto Pasuwa hailed his boys for the win and qualifying for the semifinals of the cup. He acknowledged that his side struggled in the first half but came back stronger in the second half.
In his reaction Civil Service United assistant Coach Wilson Chidati accepted the defeat while describing it as painful, “We created numerous chances but failed to score, they got their chance they scored. That’s football we have to go back and see how we are fair in the league in the second round as we have a rejuvenated squad”.
The Kalisto Pasuwa side who won the cup last season after defeating MAFCO in the final at Bingu National Stadium (BNS) faces Moyale Barracks in the semifinals who defeated Lube Master 2-1 at Mzuzu Stadium on Saturday.
Meanwhile, the Central Region Premier division league outfit, Blue Eagles FC was a 3-0 winner against TNM Super League side Baka City at the Karonga Stadium to book a date against Karonga United in the semifinals courtesy of captain Schumacher Kuwali brace and Paul Master strikes in the first half.
The Crocodiles booked their place after defeating MAFCO 2-1 at Chitowe Stadium in Dwangwa, Nkhotakota.
