…..Bullets 1(4)-1(2) Wanderers

By Edwin Mbewe

LILONGWE -(MaraviPost)-In a tense showdown at Kamuzu Stadium on Sunday, the Nomads from the Lali Lubani found themselves wandering in disbelief after succumbing to a 4-2 defeat on post-match penalties against their city rivals, FCB Nyasa Big Bullets, in the country’s prestigious Castel Challenge Cup.

The game saw regulation time end in a 1-1 deadlock, with Patrick Mwaungulu breaking the impasse in the 31st minute, delivering a powerful shot from outside the penalty area that left William Thole helpless in goals.

Although Gomezgani Chirwa missed a golden opportunity in the 38th minute from Lanjesi Nkhoma’s set-up, the deadlock remained.

After Mwaungulu’s goal, Mark Harrison’s side came under pressure, struggling to maintain possession and losing ground in the midfield.

This forced the technical panel to make strategic changes, substituting Misheck Botoman, Mphatso Kamanga, and Vincent Nyangulu with Francisco Madinga, Christopher Kumwembe, and Vitumbiko Kumwenda, respectively.

Nomads’ substitutions altered the game’s dynamics, prompting an aggressive push for an equalizer. Christopher Kumwembe answered the call, leveling the score in the 46th minute with a stunning bicycle kick following a failed clearance by defender Clyde Seneji.

In the 49th minute, Wanderers narrowly escaped conceding a goal due to a defensive blunder, saved only by goalkeeper William Thole’s heroics.

However, Vitumbiko Kumwenda received a yellow card in the 55th minute for a foul on Yankho Singo.

Despite the Nomads’ possession dominance and impressive passes, they couldn’t breach the solid defense of the Red Army.

Both teams displayed captivating play from the 61st minute onward, much to the delight of the crowd filling Kamuzu Stadium.

In the pursuit of a winner, Bullets made strategic substitutions in the 70th minute, introducing Hassan Kajoke and McPharen M’gwira for Lanjesi Nkhoma and Stanley Biliat.

Wanderers intensified their attack, earning consecutive corner kicks through captain Stanley Sanudi, yet failed to convert under pressure from the Bullets’ defense.

As the game headed for post-match penalties, both sides made crucial substitutions. Wanderers’ Francis Mkonda missed a golden chance in the 79th minute, and Bullets’ goalkeeper Richard Chimbamba showcased world-class saves from Wisdom Mpinganjira’s powerful shots.

Ultimately, the fate of the match was decided through penalties. Bullets maintained composure, scoring through Yamikani Fodya, Hassan Kajoke, Clyde Seneji, and Precious Phiri.

For Wanderers, Stanley Sanudi missed his penalty, while substitute Francis Mkonda and Peter Cholopi scored, and Vitumbiko Kumwenda missed.

This victory propelled FCB Nyasa Big Bullets into another final of the prestigious Castel Challenge Cup, leaving the Nomads disheartened at Kamuzu Stadium, confirming their season’s end without silverware.

FCB Nyasa Big Bullets will now face Silver Strikers in the final at Bingu National Stadium on Saturday, December 30, 2023.

Bullets’ dominance in local football continues, having secured victories in the FDH Bank Cup and TNM Super League, with appearances in the finals of the MK320 million Castel Challenge Cup and Airtel Top 8.