FCB Nyasa Big Bullets have staggered out of the Castel Challenge Cup after they lost to Mzuzu City Hammers 4-1 on post-match penalties at Kamuzu Stadium in Blantyre Tuesday.
Hammers have set a final showdown against Mighty Mukuru Wanderers, who knocked out Leyman Panthers 3-0.
Most fans and analysts predicted a Blantyre derby final with Wanderers, but Hammers had other ideas— stopping the People’s Team from defending the K400 million cup.
Hammers have built a solid back of steel and it was not surprising that they contained Bullets in 90 minutes, denying them goals in open play and set pieces.
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After the post-match penalties, Hammers celebrated in style whereas Bullets players and supporters were crestfallen as they trooped out of the stadium.
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On paper, it looked like an easy fixture but Bullets could not find enough metal to crack down Hammers.
Bullets Coach Kalisto Pasuwa stood in disbelief as his charges were beaten, such that the highly-rated Zimbabwean mentor could only blame fatigue for the loss.
This is despite that his players missed several scoring opportunities.
“The guys were tired and could not even push forward. Even as a coach, I felt pity for them when they were playing.
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“The boys cannot recover in two days. I think they did well when they pushed the game to penalties. And in penalties, you know they can go either way,” Pasuwa said in reference to his side’s tight schedule.
They beat Hilltop 1-0 in Mzuzu on Wednesday last week before beating MMF Marine 3-1 at Dedza Stadium on Saturday.
Bullets started the match promisingly but Hammers’ goalkeeper Chancy Mtete was the difference, making crucial saves that left the hosts frustrated.
In the first half, Mtete made a string of saves, stopping the likes of Maxwell Phodo Gasten, Ephraim Kondowe and Lloyd Aron from scoring.
He did the same in the second half when Bullets introduced fresh legs.
Babatunde Adepoju and company’s efforts were either thwarted by Mtete or not decent enough to meet the target.
Hammers had their moments too but Isaiah Nyirenda could not beat goalkeeper Richard Chimbamba.
During the shootout, Mtete saved penalties from substitute Collin Mujuru and Stanley Billiat whereas Bullets former defender Eric Kaonga led Hammers by converting the first spot-kick, with teammates Promise Chinonso, Isaiah Nyirenda and Bayo Fatayo following suit.
Bullets captain Gomezgani Chirwa was the only one who converted a penalty.
On the other hand, Hammers proved that their 3-1 post-match penalties victory over Karonga United was not by fluke.
Hammers Coach Kondwa Ikwanga attributed the victory to divine intervention.
“We had our chances in the first half. In the second half, we relaxed a bit but still worked our way out to be in the game. I believed in God and, of course, our goalkeeper [Mtete] was excellent,” he said.
Hammers will face Wanderers at Bingu National Stadium in Lilongwe on Saturday.
