Hot-shot Gabadinho ends Bullets FC cup drought
A third minute astonishing goal from Bullets F.C wonder kid Gabadinho Mhango has ended his club’s eight year cup drought as the ‘People’s team’ narrowly beat Moyale Barracks 1-0 to lift the Presidential Initiative on Sports Cup at Civo Stadium in Lilongwe.
Man of the moment Gabadinho scored the only goal of the match in as early as three minutes after being nicely set by veteran striker Heston Munthali inside the penalty box.
Moyale Barracks, shaken from the word go, took about twenty minutes to settle down.
From there, it was Moyale who took control of the match with some wonderful exchange of passes orchestrated by the Fukizi brothers Clifford and Chrispin, Timothy Nyirenda and Misheck Zyambo who was operating from the right flank.
They managed to create a number of scoring opportunities but Victor Phiri was wasteful upfront.
Towards the end of the first half, Mphatso Mhone made a nice run on the right exchanging passes with Timothy Nyirenda and Clifford Fukizi before producing a weak shot which went narrowly wide.
Second half
Chances followed for both sides in the second half, but neither of the sides took advantage. It was Moyale who had the better of things in the second half.
In the 57th minute, Mphatso Mhone produced a thunderous shot which was tipped over by Bullets F.C goal custodian Owen Chaima conceding a corner in the process.
Moyale Barracks made a number of changes in trying to find a winning formula bringing in Sandress Munthali for Steven Mkandawire and Sunganani Matiko for Misheck Zgambo.
Bullets was forced to make the first substitution bringing out injured James Chilapondwa before resting striker Divarson Mlozi midway in the second half bringing in defender Sankhani Mkandawire to guard their lead.
A golden opportunity to equalize and bring back the game to life fall to Victor Phiri in extra time who failed to push the ball into the net inside the 18 yard box after a long ball was floated into the box.
When referee of the day Patrick Leo Ngoleka blew the final whistle, there was wild celebration from the Bullets team supporters singing songs in praise of the golden boot winner Gaba.
Post-match comments
Speaking to Nyasa Times after the match, Bullets Coach Edington Ng’onamo who was on cloud nine for the momentous victory praised his boys for the wonderful performance.
“After eight years we have finally won a cup, this is a great achievement.” said Ng’onamo.
He said his game plan was to score an early goal to disturb Moyale Barracks.
“Our game plan was to score an early goal which we did and we managed to defend our one goal lead throughout the match” he said.
Moyale Barracks Assistant Coach Themba Mtontholo who took full charge of the team on behalf of the head coach Nicolus Mhango who is with Malawi Junior national team blamed his boys for losing concentration in the opening minutes which resulted into conceding a goal.
“We lost concentration in the first few minutes which really affected out game plan,” said Mtontholo.
He however also blamed referee Ngoleka for favouring Bullets.
“The officiation was poor and you could see yourself some of the decisions the referee was making” he added.
For emerging champions, Bullets F.C went home with a cool K10 million.
