FCB Nyasa Big Bullets have advanced to the final of the Airtel Top 8 after a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Karonga United in the first semifinal played on Saturday evening at Bingu National Stadium in Lilongwe.
The match started on a cautious note but gradually built into a thriller.
In the 16th minute, Karonga United had a golden opportunity to take the lead. Allen Chihana found himself one-on-one with goalkeeper Richard Chimbamba after a brilliant pass from Patrick Phiri but failed to convert, with the Bullets shot-stopper reacting quickly to deny him. It was a chance Karonga United will live to remember.
Ten minutes later, Bullets responded. In the 26th minute, winger Chikumbutso Salima opened the scoring after tapping in a low Peter Banda free kick, sending the champions ahead.
Just moments later, in the 28th minute, Henry Chiwaya nearly extended the lead for Bullets but his weak shot was comfortably collected by goalkeeper Clever Mwale.
The game opened up after that. Karonga pressed for an equalizer and nearly got it in the 30th minute when Patrick Phiri combined well with Saulos Moyo and went one-on-one with Chimbamba, only for the keeper to deny him from close range.
Six minutes later, Casto Kayuni headed over the bar from a Pilirani Thulu cross in yet another missed opportunity for Karonga.
In the 40th minute, Karonga made their first substitution, bringing in Robert Luhanga for the injured Saulos Moyo. Two minutes later, Bullets responded with a double change, replacing Blessings Joseph and Peter Banda with Chawanangwa Gumbo and Yamikani Mologeni respectively.
Karonga came out of the break with renewed intent, launching two early attempts in the second half that were well dealt with by the Bullets defense.
Their efforts paid off in the 52nd minute. From a free kick taken from the same spot where Bullets scored their opener, Patrick Phiri turned provider once again, delivering a perfect ball that was converted by Robert Luhanga to level the score. Moments later, Phiri received the game’s first yellow card for unsporting behavior.
In the 57th minute, Chiwaya was booked for simulation after diving in the box in an attempt to win a penalty. Two minutes later, Luhanga missed a big chance to put Karonga in front, heading over the bar after Chimbamba failed to deal with a high ball.
Bullets reclaimed their lead in the 64th minute when substitute Chawanangwa Gumbo delivered a pinpoint low cross into the box, and Hassan Kajoke—completely unmarked on the right—slotted home with composure to make it 2-1.
Bullets made a double substitution in the 72nd minute, bringing on Wongani Lungu and Edward Thengo for Henry Chiwaya and Frank Willard. Five minutes later, Salima went down in the box under a challenge, but referee Easter Zimba waved away appeals for a penalty from the Bullets bench.
Karonga tried to find another equalizer by introducing Kennedy Magulabge and Alick Austin in the 79th minute for Allen Chihana and Casto Kayuni, followed by the 85th-minute substitution of Nuswe Walilino for Cloude Mkoko.
Bullets also made late adjustments, taking off Kajoke in the 89th minute for Ernest Petro to manage the game to the final whistle.
Speaking after the match, FCB Nyasa Big Bullets head coach Peter Mponda praised his players for converting their chances but admitted Karonga had the better opportunities.
“In terms of possession and the way we played, I feel we were better, though Karonga had more open chances. If they had taken them, it could have been a different result,” Mponda said.
“We were shaky at the back and allowed Karonga too much room. But I must give credit to Coach Oscar—he’s doing a great job under tough circumstances. Up front, we didn’t create many chances, but we were efficient with what we had.”
Mponda also hailed the return of winger Peter Banda, who made his first appearance after over a year out with injury.
“He gave us what we wanted and expected. It’s not the same injury and he looked sharp out there. I don’t think it was too early for him to play,” he added.
Karonga United coach Oscar Kaunda, though disappointed, was proud of his youthful team.
“It was a good game. First of all, congratulations to Bullets. They’ve done well and we wish them all the best in the final. I’m proud of my boys. They’re young and learning. There were some mistakes today, but that’s part of the game. We’ll go back, train, and come back stronger,” said Kaunda.
He also acknowledged the club’s current rebuilding phase after losing key players.
“We sold our stars like Blessings Mwalilino and Nanisoni Mbewe to Mighty Wanderers and haven’t replaced them. That’s the challenge we’re facing now. But we’ll keep pushing our young players to improve.”
FCB Nyasa Big Bullets will now await the winner of Sunday’s second semifinal between Civo Service United and Silver Strikers, also to be played at Bingu National Stadium, to determine their opponent in the Airtel Top 8 final.
Let’s take a look at the official lineups for both sides:
Karonga United Starting XI:
Maclean Mwale, Pilirani Thulu, Nangie Songa, Allen Chihana, Casto Kayuni, Innocent Chitete, Patrick Phiri, Alfred Chizinga, Lovemore Ngolombe, Cloude Mkoko, Saulos Moyo.
Substitutes:
Mwantipulo Nthwale, Robert Luhanga, Zikani Mponda Munthali, Alick Austin, Sinto Simon Chipole, Kennedy Mwakabaghe, Nuswe Mwalilino, Richard Nyirenda.
FCB Nyasa Big Bullets Starting XI:
Richard Chimbamba, Lloyd Aaron, Blessings Joseph, Blessings Mpokera, Frank Willard, Peter Banda, Hassan Kajoke, Chikumbutso Salima, Babatunde Adepoju, Andrew Jovinala, Henry Chiwaya.
Substitutes:
Yamikani Mologeni, Enerst Petro, Ephraim Kondowe, Sean McBrams, Wongani Lungu, Maxwell Phodo Gasten, Innocent Nyasulu, Edward Thengo, Chawanangwa Carzola Gumbo.
