FCB Nyasa Big Bullets crashed out of the 2023 Total Energies Caf Champions League following a 5-0 loss on aggregate to Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) giants TP Mazembe at Stade Mazembe yesterday.
After a 1-0 home loss in the first leg at Bingu National Stadium two weeks ago, the Malawi champions were hoping to cause a big upset in this competition but it turned out to be another disappointing afternoon.
Before the second leg, Bullets needed to win the match by a two goal margin without a reply but things went from bad to worse after three minutes.
Buoyed by an intimidating home crowd, Mazembe displayed an impressive performance for the better part of the match.
The scorching heat made life difficult for the visitors as they spent time chasing their own shadows.
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Bullets turned too ordinary as they conceded four goals in the first half. Captain Kelvin Mundeko opened the floodgates in the third minute of the match with a header after he was set up by Cheick Omar Fofana.
In the 12th minute, Glody Likonza doubled the lead for the hosts with another simple header. Bullets defence was caught napping once again.
Mazembe were not yet done as Fofana added the third goal for the hosts. He fired a hard and low shot on the edge of the box beating goalkeeper Clever Mkungula who had a bad day at the office.
Merceil Ngimbi increased the lead to 4-0 before the teams went for recess. After a poor first half, Bullets came a changed side in the second half but they failed to find the breakthrough.
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The coming in of Nixon Nyasulu at the back stabilised Bullets defence which leaked goals in the first half.
Lanjesi Nkhoma fluffed the best chance for Bullets in the second half when he shot straight into the palms of Siadi Nguisa Baggio after good work from Patrick Mwaungulu.
For the past 19 years, Bullets have failed to qualify for the group stage of the Caf Champions League. The last time they achieved the feat was in 2003 when they were called Bakili Bullets.
Then, they eliminated big teams including Villa from Uganda, Zanaco from Zambia and DSTV Premiership side Orlando Pirates to qualify for the group stage.
