FCB Nyasa Big Bullets marched on to their third consecutive Airtel Top 8 final after defeating Blue Eagles 3-2 at Bingu National Stadium Monday.
It was a match of pure quality and class as fans were kept on the edge of their seats for the better part of the match.
The crowd that turned out at the Lilongwe facility was left satisfied with the quality of football.
After the match, blaring car horns, red and white flags were the most outstanding feature at the giant sports facility.
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Clad in their traditional red and white attire, the fans sang songs.
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For Eagles, they trooped out of the facility crestfallen.
Clad in their traditional dark blue and white jerseys, the Eagles were in disbelief after the team gave everything during the match.
The Eagles have only remained with Castel Challenge Cup for silverware this season.
On the part of Bullets, they kept their quadruple dream alive.
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Bullets scored two quick goals in the first half as Eagles looked unsettled.
Hassan Kajoke drew first blood in the sixth minutes of the match when he fired a powerful shot beyond goalkeeper Chakonda Majanga after a good through ball from Lanjesi Nkhoma.
Two minutes later, Eagles were caught off guard again as Nkhoma turned into goal-scorer from provider when he beat Majanga with his left foot.
After the goals, Eagles reorganised themselves and started playing their game.
Laurent Banda, Gilbert Chirwa, Paul Master and Micium Mhone seized control of the midfield. Mhone and Banda came close to scoring in the first half but Bullets held on for their two-goal advantage heading into the break.
After recess, Eagles brought Christopher Gototo for Tonic Viyuyi.
The substitution changed the complexion of the match as Gototo caused plenty of problems to Bullets’ defence.
Gototo pulled a goal back with a fine header from Mhone’s clever cross in the 52nd minute.
After the goal, Bullets were under intense pressure from Eagles, who were searching for an equaliser. Gototo nearly grabbed an equaliser but Rabson Chiyenda produced a good save.
Sensing danger, Bullets made four substitutions when they introduced Stanley Billiat, Precious Phiri, Nixon Nyasulu and Ephraim Kondowe for Peter Banda, Nkhoma, Chawanangwa Gumbo and Kajoke.
Despite the changes, Eagles continued to dominate the match as they were looking for an equaliser.
However, Kondowe restored Bullets’ two-goal advantage in the 80th minute when he connected an Alick Lungu’s cross.
A minute later, Rapson scored the second goal for Eagles with a tap in after a mistake from Gomezgani Chirwa.
The Eagles continued to press hard for an equaliser but it never came as Bullets reached their fourth Airtel Top 8 final since 2017.
However, Bullets have only won it once in 2021 after beating Silver Strikers 5-3 on post-match penalties before they lost to Wanderers last year.
In a post-match interview, Eagles Coach Eliya Kananji was dejected with the loss, saying his side conceded silly goals.
“We lacked seriousness in the early stages of the match and were punished,” Kananji said.
Bullets Coach Kalisto Pasuwa said it was one of the toughest games this season.
“We started the game with high tempo but they [players] dropped at some stage due to fatigue,” Pasuwa said.
Patrick Mwaungulu was named player-of-the-match.
Bullets finished the match with 10 men after Blessings Mpokera was shown a red card.
Following the win, Bullets will face the winner between Mafco and Silver/ Mighty Mukuru Wanderers in the final.
Mafco are already in the semifinals whereas Wanderers and Silver are expected to meet in the second leg of the quarterfinals.
