FCB Nyasa Big Bullets advanced to the quarter-finals of the FDH Bank Cup in convincing fashion, defeating third-tier side The Boys 3-0 in a match played at Kamuzu Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
The People’s Team were made to work hard for their opener after the hosts packed their defense, holding Bullets scoreless for 40 minutes until Blessings Mpokera’s deflected shot found the net in the 41st minute. Mike Mkwate doubled the lead three minutes later, finishing from a Chikumbutso Salima cross.
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Bullets deployed Frank Willard and Yankho Singo as center-backs, with Aaron Chilipa and Chikumbutso Salima operating as wing-backs. Chawanangwa Gumbo dropped deep to provide cover for the defenders as the team pushed for more goals. However, Babatunde Adepoju, who replaced Hassan Kajoke at half-time, squandered several clear chances and missed an opportunity to extend his lead in the golden boot race.
Mkwate also failed to grab his second goal, blasting his shot well over the crossbar. But Salima put the result beyond doubt in the 74th minute, finishing off a Peter Banda pass to complete the 3-0 victory.
Assistant coach Gilbert Chirwa praised his players’ performance and expressed the team’s trophy ambitions.
“We won it in 2023 and last year we lost in the final, which shows it’s our culture to compete for trophies. We have to fight hard to do better and win it again this year,” Chirwa said.
The Boys head coach Nzeru Saulos acknowledged his team gained valuable experience from the encounter.
“The boys were intimidated at first, which is why we struggled to attack. Unfortunately, we conceded two goals in the first half, making it difficult to get back into the game. Overall, we learned a lot from this match,” he said.
Creck edge past Moyale
Meanwhile, Patrick Mupanzi scored once and provided an assist to inspire Creck Sporting Club to a 2-1 victory over Moyale Barracks at Aubrey Dimba Stadium in Mchinji, securing their quarter-final berth.
Mupanzi capitalized on a rebound in the 37th minute to give Creck a half-time lead before setting up Frank Phiri for the second goal in the 55th minute. Charles Nkhoma converted a penalty seven minutes from time to grab a consolation goal for the soldiers.
Creck Sporting Club head coach Eliya Kananji was pleased with the victory but criticized his team’s complacency after taking a two-goal lead.
“They weren’t serious enough, which was disappointing. Then we conceded that penalty, which put unnecessary pressure on us in a game where we could have scored four or more goals. Every team in the tournament wants to win, and we’re also eyeing this trophy this season,” Kananji said.
Moyale’s Prichard Mwansa attributed the defeat to inadequate preparation, which resulted in a poor start.
“We had little time to prepare, but that’s no excuse for losing. We didn’t play well today and started badly. We improved in the second half, but it was still difficult to get back into the game,” Mwansa explained.
These results bring the number of quarter-finalists to five, joining Blue Eagles, who reached the last eight on Friday with a commanding 4-0 victory against Zingwangwa United at Mpira Stadium. Goals from Micium Mhone, Tonic Viyuyi, Webster Mzunda, and Matias Nyirenda sealed their progression.
Silver Strikers and Mighty Wanderers were the first teams to advance, having defeated FC Shire and Mzuzu City Hammers respectively.
All qualified teams await the quarter-final draw, which will be conducted once the remaining last-16 matches are completed
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