KB ousts Bullets from Carlsberg bash in Malawi
Squarely three days after Blantyre based giants Mighty Wanderers were ousted from the Carlsberg party by Red Lions, one more giant from the Commercial city Big Bullets, aka ‘the People’s team’ has been thrown out of the race after crashing 1-0 at the hands of another military side Kamuzu Barracks in a tense quarterfinal match played Saturday, August 21, 2013 at Dedza Stadium.
Midfielder Harvey Nkacha, formerly of Silver Strikers was responsible for the Bullets’ downfall as he headed in a corner kick from Kelvin Malikebu after 15 minutes.
Bullets had a goal by substitute Brown Mizeyi ruled out for off-side in the dying minutes as Bullets launched a late assault on the soldiers’ territory.
With about five minutes remaining before the close of the game, KB were reduced to 10 men as Zomba based referee Denis Ngulube flashed a second yellow card to Vincent Mphepo for delaying tactics.
The KB player drew the referee’s wrath when he tried to swap the match ball with another one during a throw-in.
Despite the setback, KB stood solid at the back to defend their lone goal.
Substitute Weld Nkuliwa, who went in for injured Nkacha in the dying moments could have doubled KB’s lead in injury time but his power packed left footer hit the goal post with Bullets keeper Owen Chaima well beaten.
Bullets’ assistant coach Gerald Phiri gracefully accepted defeat after the game, wishing the soldiers well in the next rounds.
“We accept the loss. We played in Kamuzu Barracks’ half for the better part of the game but we could not create a clear cut scoring opportunity. Our opponents also defended well,” said Phiri.
His counterpart Billy Phambala described the game as tough, praising his charges for defending their lone strike.
“It was a tough match and thanks to our boys for playing according to instructions and preventing Bullets from getting a goal. Let me also thank our fans from Dedza for rallying behind out team throughout. We will bring more good things for them,” said Phambala.
Following the victory, Kamuzu Barracks will be away to winners of the Mponela/Blantyre United quarterfinal clash scheduled for Silver Stadium on Thursday.
In another quarter final match at Chitowe Stadium in Dwangwa, Moyale Barracks defeated fellow soldiers Mafco 3-1 in post-match penalties to also sail through to the semifinals. The two teams played a 1-all draw in regulation time.
