It’s Big Bullets v Eagles in Airtel Top 8 final

Tom Sangala June 17, 2018

86 1 minute read

When you miss too many calls sometimes you lose opportunities—this is what exactly happened yesterday as Be Forward Wanderers crashed out of the Airtel Top 8 semi-final after missing several scoring chances as they lost 2-1 to rivals, Nyasa Big Bullets, at Bingu National Stadium in Lilongwe.

This means that Bullets will face Blue Eagles in the final on June 30.

Nomads had plenty of opportunities to kill off the game in the first-half but failed to answer the calls in front of goal.

On the other hand, Bullets goalkeeper Rabson Chiyenda frustrated Wanderers as he displayed a solid performance.

Bullets re-organised themselves and staged a second-half assault on Wanderers scoring two goals.

Striker Bright Munthali grabbed the opener in the 62nd minute, scoring from close range after connecting a Fischer Kondowe corner kick.

Bullets added the second goal through Chiukepo Msowoya who headed the ball into the net after Nomads goalkeeper Richard Chipuwa failed to clear the ball in the 69th minute.

Substitute Zicco Mkanda gave the Nomads some hope pulling one back after some good work from Yamikani Chester in the 83rd minute to set up a tense finish.

But it was too little and too late as the Nomads exited the tournament and Bullets marched on to their first ever final of the two-year-old cup.

It means that Bullets have equaled Wanderers’ head-to-head record in six semi-finals in recent years.

Wanderers have beaten Bullets thrice at the semi-final stage just like Bullets have beaten their rivals.

Wanderers started the game with five midfielders and one recognisable striker Khumbo Ng’ambi but he was ineffective.

Bullets started the game with three attacking players namely Msowoya, Munthali and Patrick Phiri and that paid off.

Wanderers bossed the midfield which comprised Alfred Manyozo Junior, Joseph Kamwendo, Chester, Isaac Kaliati and Precious Sambani.

Bullets Coach, Rodgers Yasini, was on cloud nine after reaching the final.

“I thank my players for playing well. It was not easy for us because Wanderers came flat out,” he said.

Nomads Team Manager, Steve Madeira, said his charges were unfortunate to lose the match.

“We were just unlucky after we failed to score goals in the first-half. We had several chances but their goalkeeper was outstanding. It is bad that we were punished in the second-half,” Madeira said.

Line ups:

Bullets: Chiyenda, John Lanjesi, Miracle Gabeya, Bashir Maunde, Chimango Kaira, Kondowe, Righteous Banda, Phiri, Henry Kabichi, Munthali, Msowoya.

Nomads: Chipuwa, Stanley Sanudi, Kaipa, Lucky Malata, Sambani, Francis Mlimbika,Chester, Kaliati, Manyozo, Kamwendo, Ng’ambi.