……Zitha 2(4)-1(5) Bullets Reserve
LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-FCB Nyasa Big Bullets Reserve FC secured their place in the K5 million A.G Trophy final in Mchinji on Sunday, October 15, 2023, with a 5-4 penalty shootout win after a 1-1 draw in regulation time.
Bullets Reserve found the back of the net in the 50th minute through Gift Lamowa, but Namitete Zitha FC’s promising forward, Mathews Hamuza, canceled the lead with a goal in the 65th minute from a spot kick.
The battle for the final slot raged on at Dimba ground, with the venue half-full, adorned in red colors in support of the young Palestinians.
After equalizing, Namitete Zitha FC pressed hard for the second goal. Their efforts seemed to have been rewarded in the 75th minute through Lawrence Chilanga, but the goal was ruled out for offside. The home side protested, but the officiating team maintained their decision.
The match went into extra time and, as the 90 minutes elapsed, the final outcome was to be determined by a penalty shootout.
Namitete Zitha FC scored through Jafali Mperela, Maxwell Mangwere (who was voted player of the match), Thinana Ernest, and Evance Pangani, while Mathews Hamuza missed his kick.
FCB Nyasa Big Bullets Reserve FC found the net through Chrispin Mapemba, Happy Mphepo, Andrew Lameck, Gift Jossam, and Mussah Bwanali, who took the decisive kick.
Bullets Reserve won 5-4 in the second semifinal, earning a spot in the final where they will face Kawinga FC. This will be their third appearance in the Dimba Trophy final, having previously won it in 2021 and 2022.
After the game, Bullets coach Enos Chatama expressed his excitement about reaching the final.
“We struggled a bit in the first half, but we were a better side in the second half, which allowed us to score that goal. The boys played well. We anticipate a tough final against Kawinga, and we will encourage the boys,” said Chatama.
In frustration, Namitete Zitha FC’s head coach, Martin Mkamanga, attributed their loss to the officiating team.
“We played well in the first half, though Bullets were first to score in the early minutes of the second half. We equalized and pressed hard, scoring a clear goal that the referee denied for offside. That was clear. It’s sad that the organizers of this trophy always seem to favor Bullets,” Mkamanga voiced his frustration.
“We pinned them from all angles, created more chances, but missed. We scored a clear goal but it was ruled out. Perhaps the referees and the trophy’s organizers have a team they want to win. Many teams have stopped playing in this trophy due to favoritism and a lack of fair play. It’s a painful defeat to lose this way,” he added.
Several teams have previously criticized the referees and organizers for poor officiating, with some announcing their decision not to participate in the competition again. This includes teams like Silver Strikers Reserve FC, Chatoloma ADMARC, and Villa FC, among others.
The owner Aubrey Dimba has denied any act of favoritism saying the referee works independently with no interference.
The final between FCB Nyasa Big Bullets Reserve FC and Kawinga FC is expected to take place before mid-November.
Additionally, Namitete Zitha FC and FCB Nyasa Big Bullets Reserve FC will clash again on October 29, 2023, at Champions Stadium in Dowa Mponela in the K13 million King Kabvina Trophy’s round of 16.
