By McLloyd Kudzingo
FCB Nyasa Big Bullets suffered penalty shootout heartbreak as they were beaten 4-1 by Mzuzu City Hammers after the match that took place at Kamuzu Stadium in Blantyre, ended in a goalless stalemate in regulation time.
The first half was not that exciting as both sides struggled to create scoring opportunities to the disappointment of their followers.
The People’s team had their first chance in the 13th minute when Ephraim Kondowe’s shot was saved by Hammers goalkeeper Chancy Mtete.
Lloyd Aaron also had an opportunity to put his side in front with just a minute before the close of the first half, but his efforts hit side netting as it finished 0-0 at half-time.
In the second half, Bullets Coach Kallisto Pasuwa replaced Maxwell Phodo with Babatunde Adepoju and later on replaced Wongani Lungu and Chikumbutso Salima with Ernest Petro and Stanley Billiati.
Adepoju had a chance to register his name on the score-sheet in the 51st minute but he saw his effort being denied by the woodwork.
Gift Chunga almost put the visitors in the lead in the 60th minute but his shot was beautifully saved by Richard Chimbamba for a corner kick.
Ephraim Kondowe and Babatunde Adepoju had other chances to break the deadlock towards the end of the match, but they both failed failed to find the back of the net and it ended goalless after 90 minutes.
During the penalty shootout, Eric Kaonga, Chinoso Promise, Isaiah Nyirenda and Fatayo Bayo scored their spot-kicks for Hammers.
Gomezgani Chirwa was the only player for Bullets who scored his spot-kick as Collins Mujuru and Stanley Billiat saw Hammers goalkeeper Chancy Mtete save their efforts
The loss means that Bullets have only managed to defend the Airtel Top 8 after also failing to defend the TNM Super League and the FDH Cup.
Following the win, the Kondwani Ikwanga coached side will meet Mighty Mukuru Wanderers in the final of the Castel Cup on Saturday at Bingu National Stadium (BNS) in Lilongwe.
Wanderers cruised to the final after defeating Chipiku Central Region Football League side Panthers FC 3-nil at Kamuzu Stadium.
