admin
HISTORY-MAKING coach Kalisto Pasuwa remains grounded despite becoming the first coach to win all four silverware in a single season in the history of Malawian football on Saturday.
Pasuwa’s Nyasa Big Bullets beat Mafco FC 2-1 to win the Airtel Top 8 final at Kamuzu Stadium in Blantyre on Saturday.
It was a repeat of the FDH Bank Cup final in October, which Nyasa Bullets won before securing the league title again.
Speaking after the match, Pasuwa did not think he deserved to be singled out as he believes the quadruple was a result of teamwork.
Pasuwa conceded that Saturday’s final was a tough battle.
“It wasn’t an easy game and we knew it would be tough. But in the end, we excelled because of our attacking prowess. They [Mafco] were hitting us on the break, but we contained them,” he said.
Commenting on the clean sweep, the Zimbabwean tactician drew a long breath and said:
“I thank God, management, fellow technical staff and, of course, the supporters for contributing towards the success. They all played a part.”
Malawi24 credited Pasuwa for his tactics in Saturday’s final.
“The tactician set his team up in a 4-3-3 shape, with Mwaungulu and Petro playing as two number 10s behind Phodo. An excellent goal from Nkhoma gave them a lead, after which they looked to use overload in the first part of their build-up to dominate possession.
“The defence also played a double pivot that overloaded Mafco’s front three. Both Mwaungulu and Petro were tightly marked by Mafco’s double pivot, but they looked to take up wide positions. This gave Bullets’ deeper players the opportunity to penetrate with either forward passes or dribbles into midfield.”
Pasuwa is already in the history books for leading Nyasa Big Bullets to five consecutive league titles since 2018.
On Saturday there were electrifying sights and roaring sounds as Bullets supporters turned the stadium into a theatre of celebrations.
After the final whistle, they exploded as a tidal wave of triumph swept through their veins and stirred their vast nest of emotions into ecstasy.
The scenes were a wonder to behold.
The most enduring moment was Pasuwa going on a lap of honour with the cup as the fans cheered in acknowledgement.
Both teams started the game at ease, shaking off early lethargy by passing the ball around to get the feel of the action and later on, the collective heart was beating loudly with Bullets in cruise control as they found a fruitful avenue in the flanks.
They drew first blood in the 23rd minute when Nkhoma received a sweet pass from Anthony Mfune and did the rest to perfection with a simple left foot connection that sent Bullets fans into delirium. Thirteen minutes later, the Salima-based Malawi Defence Force side drew level albeit in bizarre circumstances.
A well-curled free kick from Mphatso Philemon was flicked towards goal by Dan Chimbalanga resulting in a goal melee for Bullets defender Nickson Nyasulu to score in his own net.
It was an afternoon to forget for Nyasulu who failed to make up for the error when he failed to provide a winner from a spot-kick awarded after Aubrey Chafewa had fouled Maxwell Gasten Phodo in the 72nd minute.
Mafco coach Pritchard Mwansa said:
“It’s painful to lose twice to the same team in a cup final, but I guess that’s football. We’ll go back to the drawing board and come back better next season.” – Sports Reporter/Online
Online Reporter