KING KALI RULES MALAWI

CALLISTO Pasuwa just keeps winning trophies in Malawi.
When Nyasa Big Bullets beat Mighty Mukuru Wanderers to make the FDH Bank Cup final an all-Bullets affair, between the senior team and Bullets Reserves, many thought it would be a boring contest.

But, on Sunday, the fans, including Minister of Youth and Sports Richard Chimwendo Banda, who filled the Kamuzu Stadium in Blantyre to capacity, was treated to a three-course football dish as the seniors proved their superiority with a 3-1 win.

Contrary to perceptions that the Reserves would be walkovers, the juniors fought tooth and nail to frustrate their seniors.

But, the beauty of it all was that the Bullets supporters, draped in red-and-white cheered on both teams and celebrated the goals indiscriminately.

They had no choice.

Gangly striker Babatunde Adepoju took advantage of a miscommunication between Reserves goalkeeper Ramadan John and his defenders to net the opener from a Gomezgani Chirwa assist in the 13th minute.

The goal sealed the Golden Boot for the Nigerian forward with five goals.

But, the Reserves took over proceedings and pinned their seniors.

This paid off as they equalised through Happy Mphepo, just before the break, from a Chimwemwe Yasin set-piece.

The goal jolted Bullets to a realisation that the Reserves were capable of an upset.

To be safe, Bullets coach Pasuwa pulled out playmaker Patrick Mwawungulu and striker Lanjesi Nkhoma, who were put on a leash by the Reserves, for Ernest Petro and Stanley Billiat.

Moments later, midfielder Chimwemwe Idana put Bullets back in front with a clever finish after he was set up by Chirwa in the 66th minute.

Chirwa came back to haunt the Reserves, whipping in a dipping cross into the box for Anthony Mfune to nod home in the 77th minute.

If there was any resistance in the juniors, the third goal killed whatever was left.

At one point the senior side stringed close to 20 passes with the juniors merely chasing their own shadows.

At the end of it all, the seniors had proved their superiority but albeit after a good run for their money, especially in the first half.

The players from both sides hugged and congratulated each other for a feat rarely seen in Malawi football when a junior team meets its senior in a final.

The last time this happened being in 1997 when the two sides also clashed in Press Cup final.

The juniors got a standing ovation from the supporters after a fairly-tale campaign which saw them boot out TNM Super League sides Mighty Tigers, Red Lions and Blue Eagles.

Pasuwa’s men and favourites to win the league, which will be his fourth in the last four seasons.