By McLloyd Kudzingo
FCB Nyasa Big Bullets are on the verge of sealing a historic quadruple following their 4-2 win against Silver Strikers on penalty shootout to win the inaugural _Ibongetse_ Castel Challenge Cup on Saturday afternoon.
Substitute goalkeeper Clever Mkungula proved to be the hero of the day after saving two penalties from Chinsinsi Maonga and Nickson Mwase, during the post match penalties.
Yamikani Fodya, Hassan Kajoke, Clyde Senaji and
Precious Phiri scored their spot kicks for Bullets while the central bankers scored through Chimwemwe Idana and Maxwell Paipi.
The match which was played at the Bingu National Stadium ended 1-all in regulation time with goals from Atusaye Nyondo and Lanjesi Nkhoma for Silver and Bullets respectively.
The central bankers were the first to hit the back of the net through Nyondo’s powerful header, 8 minutes from kick-off, following a corner-kick beautifully taken by Duncan Nyoni.
The visitors had a chance to level the scores in the 13th minute after a beautiful exchange of passes but Lanjesi Nkhoma’s shot went over the crossbar.
After a couple of chances, Nkhoma equalised for Bullets in the 24th minute with a powerful shot after receiving a pass from Chawanagwa Gumbo.
Both sides continued to play a beautiful passing game in the first half but it was Bullets that created most chances than the homes side.
Five minutes before the end of the first half, Patrick Mwaungulu had a chance to put Bullets in the lead but his diflected shot was saved over the cross bar by Silver goalkeeper Pilirani Mapira.
In the second half, Bullets had to replace goalkeeper Richard Chimbamba with substitute Clever Mkungula after the former picked what looked like a serious injury in the 64th minute.
Silver then replaced Duncan Nyoni and Atusaye Nyondo with Zebron Kalima and George Chaomba.
Chaomba almost put his name on the scoresheet in the 70th minute but his close range shot was saved by Mkungula.
In the 80th minute, Bullets coach Kalisto Pasuwa introduced Ephraim Kondowe and Hassan Kajoke for Maxwell Phodo and Lanjesi Nkhoma.
He later introduced Nickson Nyasulu and Yamikani Fodya for Ernest Petro and Patrick Mwaungulu towards the end of the match while his counterpart Peter DeJong brought in Chinsinsi Maonga for Patrick Macheso.
Despite a number of efforts by both sides the match ended in a stalemate and had to be decided through penalty shootout when Bullets got the better of the Lilongwe giants.
After the match, Bullets’ 27-year-old Kenyan defender Clyde Senaji was voted man of the match.
This is the second loss for Silver Strikers this week alone as they were also knocked out of the Airtel Top 8 Cup by Mafco FC in a similar fashion .
The win for the People’s team means that the Ndirande outfit remain with a chance of sealing a quadruple if they can win the Airtel Top 8 Cup next weekend.
For winning the Castel Cup, Bullets have received K50 million from Castel while Silver have gone home with half of that amount.
