Bullets set up Moyale final in K60m Presidential Cup
Bullets FC set up a mouth-watering Presidential Cup final clash with Moyale after beating Escom United 4-3 in a penalty shoot-out following an engrossing semi-final on Sunday at Kamuzu Stadium in Blantyre.
In the nerve-jangling match, Bullets scored first through their man of the moment, Gabadinho ‘JC’ Mhango on the spot kick after a controversial penalty was awarded when the striker was brought down near the 18 yard box.
Bullets went two-up through experienced striker Heston Munthali who punished his former team . But Escom pulled one courtesy of Chimwemwe Nyakamera.
At half-time Bullets were leading 2-1. Noel ‘Amfumu’ Mkandawire equalizer in the second half set the game into balance.
Bullets were dealt a severe blow when Fifa referee Dennis Ngulube gave Gabadini marching orders late in the game for diving in the 18 yard box – seeking a penalty – putting his team on the tight rope, as Escom United were coming wave after wave of attack but they only lacked the killer punch in front.
Promised land
In the penalties, James Chilapondwa, Keston Masonda, George Nyirenda and Kanyenda converted their spot kicks for BB while Richard Senti, Kondwani Gawani and Manase Chiyesa scored for Escom.
Captain Spencer Chipantha, Bashir Maunde and Innocent Phiri failed to convert their penalty kicks for Escom so did Bullets’ Peter Mpulula and Douglas Chirambo.
It was Chikumbutso ‘Jetli’ Kanyenda, whose penalty score sent Bullets through sending the whole stadium in a crazy celebrations, with red and white supporters of Bullets chanting, ” Mukamva hi-ho magetsi athima, mukamva hi-ho magetsi azima!!”
Head coach for Bullets, Eding’ton Ng’onamo said: “Now we are in the finals, our focus should be to win a silveware and end the cup drought for the Bullets.”
Bullets will play Moyale in next month’s K60 million (about $240 000) Presidential Cup final in Lilongwe after the Mzuzu-based soldiers eliminated Red Lions 3-2 on Saturday.
