BB wins Luso TV Clash of Giants tourney
Big Bullets FC on Sunday, September 22, 2013 proved beyond reasonable doubt that they are masters in as far as pre-season, off-season or mid-season soccer tournaments are concerned when they won the Luso TV Clash of Giants tournament after edging their rivals Mighty Wanderers 4-3 in post-match penalties during the final match played before a huge crowd at Civo Stadium in Lilongwe.
The two Blantyre giants were deadlocked 0-0 after regulation 90 minutes but against all the odds, the ‘People’s team,’ reigned supreme during the shootouts to lay claim on the trophy and the K1 million top prize.
Just before the final whistle, Bullets made some tactical changes, replacing goalkeeper Vincent Gona with Owen Chaima and bringing in Mizeyi brothers Brown and Wisdom.
Came the dreaded moment, Cuthbert Sinetre blazed Wanderers’ first spot kick over the bar, putting pressure on his team mates. Fischer ‘Anong’a’ Kondowe, Brown Mizeyi and Douglas Chirambo all converted for Bullets so too Wanderers’ Victor Mpinganjira, Mike Kaziputa and Kondwani Kumwenda.
Idrissa Walesi’s poorly taken kick was saved by Chaima before Wanderers’ goalkeeper Bester Phiri saved Wisdom Mizeyi’s spot kick.
With two penalty kicks missed by Wanderers, Bullets’ Henry Kabichi stepped in to take the decisive penalty and the midfielder made no mistake to send the Bullets camp into wild celebrations.
Excited Bullets coach Eddie Ng’onamo said he was happy to see his side triumphing in such tournaments for the third time in a row after winning the Orange Partners Charity Shield and the GOtv Trophy earlier this year.
Playing before the final, Epac FC, alias Njenjete crashed Silver Strikers 3-0 to claim the K300,000 third prize.
Jafali Chande, Andrew Mbanda and Mussa Manyenje were the men on target for Epac, who enjoyed voval support from Bullets fans.
Manyenje, who mesmerized fans during the two-day tournament was named best striker, with Silver’s Young Chimodzi Junior and George Nyirenda for Bullets winning the best midfielder and best defender accolades.
Wanderers’ goalkeeper Bester Banda, who saved two penalties against Epac and one against Bullets was named player of the tournament and best goalkeeper. Luso TV, which also sponsored the K1 million top prize gave out K20,000 to each of the outstanding individuals.
The Wanderers’ goalie walked away with K40,000 in total.
