Castel Challenge Cup holders FCB Nyasa Big Bullets advanced to the round of 16 after thrashing lower tier side Changalume Barracks 5-0 at Mpira Stadium in Chiwembe Township, Blantyre, Wednesday.
The match was delayed as the pitch was unplayable following heavy rains that hit the area.
Mpira Stadium staff, other officials and fans took turns to drain out water from the pitch.
Bullets approached the match cautiously, keeping an eye on their league match against Silver Strikers set for Saturday.
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The cup holders named a changed line-up, resting all the players who were with the Malawi National Football Team for the two dead-rubber 2025 Africa Cup of Nations Qualifiers against Burundi and Burkina Faso.
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However, the line-up was strong enough to sweep aside the Premier Division side.
Babatunde Adepoju gave Bullets the lead in the sixth minute after he was set through by Ronald Chitiyo.
From that moment, it appeared that Bullets were going to soak Changalume with a rain of goals in the first half but the Premier Division side made life difficult for the People’s Team.
Babatunde claimed his brace and Bullets’ second in the 56th minute when he finished a Stanley Billiat cross.
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From that moment it was a one-sided match, with Bullets piling pressure following the introduction of fresh legs.
Then Maxwell Gasten Phodo scored Bullets’ third goal in the 70th minute following a Yamikani Mologeni cross.
Substitute Ephraim Kondowe took over the scoring duties, netting the last two goals in the 78th and 88th minute for Bullets to stay in course for cup defence.
Changalume Coach Chifundo Masapula conceded defeat.
“In the first half, our game plan worked but we gave away the match in the second half because the players did not follow instructions,” Masapula said.
Bullets Assistant Coach Mike Ngore said they did not underrate the side.
“Football is football. We have treated them as a professional [top tier] side. They gave us problems in the first half,”
Bullets will meet Hill Top United in the round of 16.
Meanwhile, Mzuzu City Hammers reached the quarterfinals after edging out Mighty Tigers 1-0 at Mzuzu Stadium.
Substitute Gregory Mwase scored Hammers’ goal in the 84th minute following an assist from Isaac Msiska.
