Bullets, Epac knocked out of Standard Bank Cup
End of the road! Big Bullets and Epac United were shown an exit on Saturday in the knockout stage of the elite Standard Bank Cup.
The People’s team dreams to grab the cup after a long dry spell in their camp were shattered by the soldiers of Salima, Mafco FC.
Bullets lost in the most dramatic of penalty shoot-outs 3-1 after a 1-1 draw in 90 minutes.
Emotion and drama echoed around Kamuzu Stadium as Mafco players celebrated a deserved victory.
In a highly tempo game both sides kicked off the match on a high note but they lacked the killer punch in the first 10 minutes of the game.
However, the visitors were first to kiss the net through Henry ‘Magetsi’ before the home ground team equalized on the spot kick courtesy of Jelesi Lufeyo.
Big Bullets coach Eding’ton Ng’onamo tried all his tactics by bringing in Robson Banda and Divasoni Mlozi but their presence did not make any impact for the Ndirande Township based out-fit.
Bullets could have wrapped up the game in the second half but Kabichi, Lufeyo and Godfrey Masonda worsted a lot of scoring opportunities.
After 90 minutes, both teams were forced into penalties, where the soldiers scored three times against one to the People’s team.
Some of the Mafco players, who kissed made no mistake from the spot kick were Chifuniro Phiri, Jimmy Nzunga and Mphatso Magetsi while Bullets only score was by Wayile Tembeta. Henry Kabichi, Fundi Akidu and Jelesi Lufeyo missed for Bullets.
In another encounter in Balaka, Red Lions won 4-2 against Epac United in the penalties after a 2-2 draw in the 90 minutes.
Big Bullets coach, Eding’ton Ng’onamo was disappointed with the outcome but was quick to defend his players that they did all they could to win the match.
“It is very sad to lose on penalties and taking the fact that we have been training on how to shoot penalties the whole of last week, “said Ng’onamo.
His counterpart for Moyale, Temwa Msuku described their victory as a stepping stone to grab the cup.
“This is a stepping stone to the promised land but let me admit that the journey is too long. It was a balanced affair but the referee gave Bullets a dubious penalty otherwise we could have wrapped up the game in the 90 minutes, “said Msuku.
With Mafco and Red Lions progressing into the next round, it means that Silver Strikers will take on Civo United while Moyale Barracks will sort it out with Mighty Wanderers.
Other fixtures will involve Blue Eagles and Mafco as Escom United have to entertain Red Lions.
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