By McLloyd Kudzingo
Last season’s quadruple winners FCB Nyasa Big Bullets have won the Charity Shield for the seventh consecutive time after beating Silver Strikers 7-6 on post match penalties at the Bingu National Stadium on Saturday afternoon, after the match ended 0-0 in regulation time.
Goalkeeper Innocent Nyasulu was the hero of the day as he saved two penalties from Gift Chunga and Silver captain Chikondi Kamanga.
During the shootout, Duncan Nyoni had the chance to win it for the Central Bankers after Precious Sambani had missed the first spot kick for Bullets but the former Simba SC player was denied by the woodwork.
Binwell Katinji, Innocent Shema, Chimwemwe Idana, Nixon Nyasulu,
McDonald Lameck and Emmanuel Muyira scored their spot kicks for Silver Strikers.
Bullets had their penalties scored through Hassan Kajoke, Precious Phiri, Ephraim Kondowe, Blessings Mpokera, Yamikani Mologeni and the debutant Collins Mujuru.
Ernest Petro missed the other spot kick for the People’s team.
It was a balanced encounter between last season’s top two teams in the TNM Super League with both sides creating numerous scoring opportunities but none of them managed to find the back of the net.
Silver had their first chance in the 15th minute through Duncan Nyoni but Bullets goalkeeper Innocent Nyasulu managed to save his cross before it reached another Silver player.
Silver started to dominate possession in the middle of the first half and they got their second chance through former Bullets midfielder Chimwemwe Idana but his shot hit the side bar.
The second half saw Bullets starting on a very high note but Silver’s goalkeeper George Chikooka who has just been signed from Chitipa United proved to be too good denying Chikumbutso Salima and Yamikani Mologeni some golden opportunities.
In the 79th minute Precious Phiri had a chance to break the deadlock but his powerful shot was again beautifully saved by Chikooka.
Gift Chunga almost won it for the Central Bankers towards the end of the match but his goal was ruled out for an offside by the referees.
The win means that Bullets have won the cup for the seventh successive time as they have been winning it since 2016.
For coach Kalisto Pasuwa, this will be his fourth Charity Shield to win since he joined the Ndirande outfit.
