By McLloyd Kudzingo
FCB Nyasa Big Bullets have become the first team to defend the Airtel Top 8 Cup following their 1-0 victory over Silver Strikers at Bingu National Stadium in Lilongwe on Saturday afternoon.
Ernest Petro scored the only goal on the match with a powerful header in the 71st minute after receiving a cross from from Alick Lungu.
Silver Strikers started the game very well forcing Bullets to concede a corner kick in the 12th minutes which was taken by Uchizi Vunga but headed over the cross bar by Maxwell Paipi.
Zebron Kalima almost put Silver in front in the 26th minute but his shot was deflected for a second corner for Silver.
Four minutes later, Kalima came again with yet another chance following a blunder by Wongani Lungu but Bullets captain Gomezgani Chirwa cleared the ball to deny the home side the lead.
In the second half, Bullets introduced Maxwell Phodo replacing Ephraim Kondowe and Silver on the other hand, brought in Charles Chipala and Levison Maganizo for Binwell Katinji and Uchizi Vunga.
Bullets later on replaced Wongani Lungu with Lloyd Aaron in the 63rd minute.
Both sides looked well settled in the second half, creating a number of scoring opportunities but it was the People’s team who managed to find the back of the net through Petro in the 71st minute.
Following the goal, Silver Coach Peter Mponda replaced Zebron Kalima with Misheck Selemani in the 72nd minute and five minutes later Stain Davie replaced Chikondi Kamanga.
Bullets coach Kallisto Pasuwa also brought in Frank Willard and Yamikani Mologeni for Precious Phiri and goalscorer Ernest Petro.
Babatunde Adepoju almost made it 2-nil in the 85th minute after receiving a cross from Chikumbutso Salima but his header missed the goal post by a whisker.
Gift Chunga almost snatched a late equaliser for the central bankers but his attempt was cleared by Yamikani Mologeni in the added time.
Bullets have received MK 30 million for being crowned champions and Silver Strikers have pocketed MK 10 million as Runners-up.
