Bullets beat Silver 3-0 to reach finals of Malawi Carlsberg Cup: Pictorial

Malawi soccer power house Big Bullets on Saturday humiliated Silver Strikers at Kamuzu Stadium by defeating the capital city giants 3-0 to book a place in the finals of the 2015 edition of Carlsberg Cup.

Bullets opened the score account through Jaffali Chande in the 12 minutes and Diverson Mlozi increased the lead before in form Chiukepo Msowoya crowned it all from a spot kick.

The first half went to form with Bullets dominating the visitors and enjoying 46% possession in a bright sunshine.

Msowoya had seen his early header from Fischer Kondowe’s corner well saved by Silver goalkeeper Blessings Kameza, low to his left, and at the other end Green Harawa’s fierce half-volley from 25 yards was straight at Owen Chaima.

The bankers, who missed the services of their captain Lucky Malata and Timothy Chitedze were outplayed on the midfield, where Chande and Bashir Maunde were too good for Victor Limbani.

In the 28th minute, Dalitso Sailesi unlocked the bankers defence with a wonderful pass to Manyenje , who, after controlling and turning inside, prodded past Wonderful Germany before the ball went wide.

The bankers striking force was toothless, as it struggled to unlock Bullets defence. Their danger man Green Harawa was well tamed by no nonsense defender Sankhani ‘Mkango Plus’ Mkandawire.

Peter Wadabwa was another main culprit for the bankers, as he mis-fired two scoring opportunities to the dismay of frustrated Stain Chirwa on the bench.

Bullets let 1-0 at interval.

In the second half, Owen Chaima in Bullets goals nearly made a mess of Nathaniel Harawa’s shot from distance, palming it away to safety, while Peter Wadabwa missed a glorious chance to give his side at least a goal by striking over the bar from within the six-yard box with only a man on the line to beat.

Rodrick Gonani, who was introduced from the bench also wasted good territory when Bullets defence found themselves two-on-one as the game became increasingly stretched.

In the 63rd minute, Bullets won a free-kick which was well taken by Jeresi Lufeyo for Mlozi to make it 2-0 through a glancing header.

A minute later, Bullets found a third goal through a penalty by Msowoya after Silver goalkeeper pulled Msowoya’s leg in the box.

In the 84th minute, a low shot from 25 yards by Msowoya was saved by Kameza, who was lucky to see it rebound off him and over the bar.

However, it must be noted that the game was not all that entertaining as both teams resorted in misplacing passes and preferring aerial balls.

Towards the end of the game although Silver pumped several balls into the Peoples team box, they never looked like finding an equaliser as their first Carlsberg Cup mission since it was launched ended in heartbreak.

Silver Strikers coach Stain Chirwa conceded the defeat but was quick to accuse the referee for giving Bullets two goals, which he described them dubious.

“Yes we have lost, and it is painful but let me tell our fans that the two goals Bullets scored were dubious,” said the Silver mentor.

“ All in all we have to forget about today’s game and focus on our next games in the League,” said Chirwa.

Big Bullets coach Mabvuto Lungu praised his charges for their victory and stressed everything is water under the bridge as they now focus on the finals.

“Let me salute our boys for the victory. If you work hard you get paid, so in short we worked hard and we have been paid,” said Lungu.

Bullets tactician Nsanzurwimo Ramadan, who is now employed as Malawi national team assistant coach said he was pleased to take a bow at the club with” a resounding victory.”

 

The champions are on course to defend the cup which they won last year and this is their fourth entry into the finals.

They will face winners between Be Forward Wanderers and Moyale Barracks who play at Civo Stadium in Lilongwe on Sunday.

Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV :

Sharing is caring!