Andrew
Mabvuto Kambuwe in LILONGWE, Malawi
Nyasa Big Bullets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0
Mighty Mukuru Wanderers . . . . . . . . . . 0
(Wanderers won 5-3 on penalties)
EVERY fairy tale comes to an end. There will be no unprecedented quadruple for Kalisto Pasuwa and his Nyasa Big Bullets after they fell to arch-rivals Mighty Mukuru Wanderers in the Airtel Top 8 Cup final tie before a huge crowd at Bingu National Stadium here yesterday.
The two giants were deadlocked 0-0 in regulation time. Pasuwa and his Bullets troops were hoping for a fourth title of the season.
The former Zimbabwe gaffer had earlier guided his troops to success in the TNM Super League, the FDH Bank Cup and the Charity Shield.
Pasuwa was, however, unable to prepare his side for yesterday’s final as he suffered a family bereavement earlier in the week and was forced to rush back to Zimbabwe for the funeral.
While they had triumphed in the league and two other cup finals, there was no joy for Bullets this time around as they surrendered the trophy to the blue side of town in front of a huge crowd at the giant stadium. This was an incredible story for Wanderers having ended their three-year trophy drought. Before yesterday, Wanderers won the Fisd Challenge Cup in 2018.
There is something special for Wanderers in the 2022 Airtel Top 8 Cup… they won the trophy without conceding a goal in open play in four matches.
The Nomads have found their mojo under new gaffer Mark Harrison.
For winning the trophy, Wanderers pocketed K17million while Bullets got K5.5million. After goal-less stalemate in regulation time, the match was decided through post-match penalties.
Vincent Nyangulu scored the winning penalty for Wanderers.
It was a bad day for Bullets fans and players, who trooped out the facility crest-fallen. Defender Kesten Simbi missed his penalty.
Stanely Sanudi, Francis Mkonda, Miracle Gabeya and Peter Cholopi made no mistake as they converted their penalties for the Nomads.
On the other hand, Yamikani Fodya, Babatunde Adepoju and Hassan Kajoke scored for the People’s Team.
It was an entertaining match befitting cup final of giants.
In fact, it was a game of the proverbial two halves as Bullets dominated the first half and Wanderers enjoyed the second period.
The midfield of Frank Willard, Ernest Petro and Chimwemwe Idana had a grand game in the first half.
After the break, the Nomads had the lion’s share of possession in midfield with Alfred Manyozo, Mkonda, Wisdom Mpinganjira and Felix Zulu on top of their game.
For Bullets, their right back Gomezgani Chirwa failed to play his overlapping usual game.
But it was a highly contested affair with limited chances.
However, the first chance fell to Bullets but Nigerian striker Adepoju’s effort was well dealt with by Wanderers goalkeeper Richard Chipuwa.
Mkonda nearly gave Wanderers the lead towards the end of the first half but Bullets goalkeeper Richard Chimbamba was equal to the task.
In the closing stages of the match, Wanderers put their opponents on the back foot with wave after wave of attacks.
The Wanderers, however, failed to transform their dominance into goals.
For winning the Airtel Top 8 Cup, Wanderers have joined Silver Strikers (twice winners 2017 and 2019), Blue Eagles (2018) and Bullets last year.
Harrison felt his side deserved victory.
’’We were desperate for the trophy. It is good that we won. We had a good game-plan,’’ Harrison said.
Pasuwa said it was a bad day at the office. ’’Wanderers wanted it more. They were hungry for it,’’ Pasuwa said.
Online Reporter