Manyenje late show sees Nyasa Bullets into quarter-finals of Malawi Carlsberg Cup
Mussa Manyenje broke Azam Tigers hearts with a last-gasp strike to put Nyasa Big Bullets into the Carlsberg Cup quarter- final.
Bullets coming from their goalless draw against Blue Eagles in the TNM Super League on Sunday were missing the services of the in-form Mike Mkwate and Davie Ng’ambi while defender John Lanjesi and Striker Muhammed Sulumba are in South Africa on trials.
Tigers were first to nock on Bullets goals with sensational Yamikani Chester ‘s volley hitting the crossbar before Miracle Gabeya’s clearance midway the first half. Manyenje and Chiukepo Msowoya who led the attack for Bullets were heavily marked by Tigers defenders and neither Msowoya nor Manyenje had a short on target in the first half.
Soon after recess, Bullets made a double substitution taking off George Nyirenda and Fischer Kondowe for Henry magetsi Kabichi and Diverson Mlozi respectively.
Despite making the change, it was Tigers who posed danger in Bullets defence but failed to turn their chances into goals.
However, with few minutes to go before the final whistle, Manyenje scored the vital goal.
Manyenje curled home with just four minutes remainingon Thursday afternoon at Kamuzu Stadium.
A cross from MacPhallen Ngwira caught Tigers’ defence sleeping, allowing Manyenje to control and he darted through the Tigers defense, slotted in Nyasa Bullets’ winner.
But there was still time for Bullets skipper Chiukepo Msowoya to yawn the net when he seized on a loose ball but the goal was disallowed by referee Duncan Lengani.
Tigers matched Bullets in all departments and played a better organised game .
Bullets assistant Coach Mabvuto Lungu told Nyasa Times that the win gives them confidence ahead of their next meeting in the League o Sunday.
“This is real boost ahead of our next meeting on Sunday. They gave us a good run for our money but in the end we got the result that we prayed for and we thank our players flans supporters for this win,” said Lungu.
For his part, Tigers Coach Gerald Phiri said the best team on the day lost but however wished Bullets all the best in the next level of the competition.
Phiri said “it is as cruel as football can be”.
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