malvernmugadzikwa
Sports Reporter
MAFCO . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (1) 1
Nyasa Big Bullets . . . . . . . . . . . . (1) 2
KALISTO PASUWA just cannot stop winning.
The Zimbabwean coach completed a clean sweep in Malawi football yesterday after his side Nyasa Bullets were crowned champions of the Airtel Top 8 following their win over MAFCO in the final at Kamuzu Stadium in Blantyre.
The victory is not only sweet news for the “People’s Team”, who have pocketed 17 million kwacha (about US$10 000), but historic as it is the first time a team has won all domestic competitions on offer in one season.
Lanjesi Nkhoma scored both goals for Bullets, while his defender Nixon Nyasulu gifted MAFCO’s lone goal.
It was a lively final before a capacity crowd.
A sloppy start to the game in the early stages by both sides soon picked up, with Bullets, who were the defending champions, dominating. And their dominance paid dividends as Nkhoma thrust his side into the lead after 23 minutes.
He finished off Bullets’ fine inter-change of passes that originated from a free-kick in the centre circle. The goal, however, did little to unsettle MAFCO, who continued searching for an equaliser.
They were duly rewarded in the 35th minute when Nyasulu could only turn the ball into his own net in a bid to clear.
This left the teams deadlocked at the breather.
Pasuwa made a tactical substitution at the start of the second half, introducing Ephraim Kondowe for Antony Mfune, and Bullets upped their tempo as they put the soldiers under siege.
The army side’s defence, which had stood firm for much of the second period, finally capitulated in the 70th minute when a desperate defender, Alfred Chafewa, fouled Gastin Phodo in the box.
Referee Mayamiko Kanjere did not hesitate to point to the spot and Nkhoma sealed his brace off a rebound.
Nyasulu, who had an afternoon to forget, had seen his penalty kick saved by MAFCO’s Christopher Mikuwa, but Nkhoma — later named man of the match — was on hand to tap home the rebound.
MAFCO, who at times were physical in their game, picked up several yellow cards.
Earlier in the season, Pasuwa’s men bagged the FDH Cup, the league championship and the Castel Cup, which they won last weekend.
The former Zimbabwe and Dynamos coach paid tribute to his players.
“It has not been us only but everybody who was there for us.
“This is the season where we struggled mostly on away games, but we thank the boys for this achievement,” Pasuwa said.
MAFCO coach Pritchard Mwansa praised his soldiers for giving their rivals a good run for their money.
In the run-up to yesterday’s match, Pasuwa also took the opportunity to dismiss social media reports linking his club to Dynamos defender Kelvin Moyo.
For now, the Big Bullets red army of supporters will savour the moment in which they watched their team win silverware at their home turf at Kamuzu Stadium for the first time this season.
The other two cup finals which Big Bullets won were played at Bingu National Stadium in Lilongwe.
Online Reporter