Nyasa BB reach Pres Cup quarterfinals, beats Eagles in penaltie as Kakhobwe saves three

Elijah Phimbi -Nyasa Times

Nyasa Big Bullets have progressed to the quarterfinals of the Presidential Cup in a dramatic 5-4 penalty shootout  against Blue at the Nankhaka Stadium in Lilongwe.

This followed a barren 0-0 draw in regular time.

Both the first and second halves had little to write about as both teams looked unsettled and created minimal scoring opportunities.

Bullets goalkeeper Ernest Kakhobwe was the hero of the day after serving three penalty kicks.

The Eagles missed their opening penalty taken by former Mighty Be Forward Wanderers and Fomboni F.C of Comoros Isaland Wister Phiri after Pilirani Zonda stepped in to convert the first spot kick for Bullets.

Eagles substitute keeper Chakonda Majanga equalled the proceedings after he served the second penalty for Bullets taken by former Civo United and Flames international defender John Lanjesi before Gilbert Chirwa levelled the scores to make it 1-1.

There after Blue Eagles converted there next three consecutive penalties through Victor Nyirenda, Gregory Nachipo and Osward Maonga while Bullets also walked the same path through Yamikani Fodya, Chiukepo Msowoya and Muhammad Sulumba.

After the opening five spot kicks, came the moments of extra penalties.

Macfallen Ngwira blasted his spot kick over the bar and when everybody thought the game is over, Eagles striker John Junior Malidadi steped in only to have his spot kick served by Bullets in form Kakhobwe.

The next Bullets penalty was again served by Eagles keeper who last week served two penalties in the round of 16 encounter against Silver Strikers.

Bashil Maunde converted the eighth penalty which booked the Peoples team a ticket to the quarter final before Enock Likoswe missed the last kick that could have levelled the scores.

This led to wild celebrations by Bullets players and supporters as Blue Eagles family was left in total disbelief.

Speaking after the match, Blue Eagles Team Manager Gabriel Chirwa described the game as good and exciting but confessed the result was “painful”.

He however hailed his players for playing according to instructions.

Chirwa further saluted goalkeeper Majanga for serving two penalties.

His opposite number Rahim Ishmael was all smiles.

Ishmael praised goalkeeper Kakhobwe for the fantastic and well done job in stopping the three penalties.

Meanwhile, the Bullets team manager said they will straight away seriously start preparations for their quarterfinal fixture against Kabwafu FC.

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