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KALISTO Pasuwa’s Nyasa Big Bullets completed a treble in the 2023 Malawian season, adding the Castel Challenge Cup to their trophy cabinet at Bingu National Stadium on Saturday.
Nyasa Bullets won the inaugural K320 million (approximately US$190 000) Castel Challenge Cup after beating Pieter De Jongh’s Silver Strikers 4-2 on post-match penalty shootout at the Bingu National Stadium in Lilongwe.
Pasuwa’s charges walked away K50 million (about US$30 000) richer while the Central Bankers received K25 million in prize money.
Bullets added the Castel Challenge Cup to their TNM Super League and FDH Bank Cup and their quest for a quadruple takes him to the Airtel Top 8 Cup final against Mafco next week in what will be a record-breaking feat for the former Dynamos coach.
Second half substitute Clever Mkungula was the hero of the day as he saved two penalties to help his team win.
The win brought to an end Silver’s unbeaten run in all the finals they have played at the facility since its opening in 2017.
It also means they, for the second consecutive season, Silver Strikers have finished empty-handed, having missed out on the Super League, the FDH Bank Cup, and the Airtel Top 8 Cup which they recently lost to Mafco FC last Tuesday.
Silver Strikers were dominant in the first 10 minutes of the match, and it wasn’t a surprise to see them taking a lead in the 8th minute through Atusaye Nyondo who produced a powerful header from Duncan Nyoni’s well taken corner kick to beat Richard Chimbamba in the line of duty.
Bullets kept on having the majority of the possession and would have wondered how they didn’t level the scoreline through Phodo in the 15th minute, but the visitors kept out two goal-bound shots in quick succession, one of which was deflected up and onto the crossbar.
The hosts’ pressure finally paid off in the 24th minute when Gumbo made a run into the final third before sending a million-dollar pass to Nkhoma, who got the better of Emmanuel Kaunga before hitting the ball with power to beat Pilirani Mapira who could only watch the net shaking, 1-1.
Bullets kept on pushing, and there was a moment of brilliance when they kept on passing the ball for more than ten minutes as the visitors were nowhere near the action area, but the hosts kept on missing chance after chance to keep their opponents into the game.
The hosts were all over the place, passing the ball at will and forcing Silver to be second on the ball, but Pasuwa’s men were very wasteful in front, the latest being Nkhoma who sent his weaker shot straight at Mapira, and that was all for the half.
The opening ten minutes of the second half saw much huff and puff from both teams, but very little end product, which included a long-range, right-footed effort from Mwaungulu that sailed over the bar of Mapira in Silver’s goal. Ball possession was still in the hands of Bullets, but they lacked the finishing composure in the final third to punish the visitors who were mostly second on the ball-Sports Reporter/Malawi24.
Silver’s closest chance came in the 58th minute when Patrick Macheso, another silent player on the day, made a run before sending a dangerous cross bound for Nyondo, but Chimbamba was very much alert with a timely intervention.
With the hour-mark played, tempers started flying high, forcing Gift Chicco to flash yellow cards on Nyoni, Paipi, and Singo, a clear indication that at this juncture, the match could have gone to either side.
Pasuwa’s team suffered a huge setback in the 65th minute when Chimbamba landed awkwardly and got injured in the process. He was rushed to the hospital, and he was replaced by Clever Mkungula, who was making his first-time appearance since August this year.
De Jongh brought in Zebron Kalima and George Chaomba for Nyoni and Nyondo to try to improve his attacking prowess.
Chaomba was involved in the 70th minute when he found himself to the receiving end of Paipi’s pass, but the forward couldn’t believe it as his shot was well saved by Mkungula for a cornerkick which was easily defended by the hosts.
At this moment, the midfield battle was the highlight of the match as Idana was heavily closed down by Singo, and he couldn’t do anything with the ball, a situation that saw Bullets making dangerous runs into the opposition’ box, but Phodo missed a chance in the 74th minute when his volley went over the crossbar with Mapira already beaten in the line of duty.
Ephraim Kondowe and Hassan Kajoke were introduced by Pasuwa in the 80th minute for Phodo and Nkhoma.
Immediately after coming in, Kondowe was denied by Mapira, who made a brilliant save to deny the forward from winning it for Bullets.
Penalties were imminent, and this saw Pasuwa introducing good penalty takers in Yamikani Fodya and Nickson Nyasulu for Mwaungulu and Petro.
There was a last chance for Silver, but Idana was once again late, allowing Gomezgani Chirwa, who partnered Clyde Senaji in defense, to make a clearance.
In the shootout, Bullets scored four of their penalties through Fodya, Kajoke, Senaji, and Precious Phiri while Chinsinsi Maonga, who replaced Macheso, and Nickson Mwase, missed from twelve yards to send Bullets fans into massive celebrations -.Wires
Online Reporter