Bullets beat Silver to win Kamuzu Cup

By Antony Isaiah Jr………

Making his first start since the 2023-24 Football Season rolled out, Veteran Henry Kabitchi delivered when it was needed most by Kalisto Pasuwa’s men to clinch the inaugural Kamuzu Cup at Civo Stadium.

Silver Strikers had their game against Mighty Waka Waka Tigers postponed while FCB Nyasa Big Bullets had their game against Bangwe All Stars rescheduled to Friday from Saturday in readiness of the ceremonial match after being booked by the government to spice up the commemorating Malawi’s first President late Dr Hastings Kamuzu Banda.

In front of His Excellence, Dr Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera teams had to battle out for the trophy and MK2.5 Million on Sunday afternoon at the fully-packed stadium.

Seeing it as one of the games to test the fringe players, both Zimbabwean Kalisto Pasuwa and Dutchman, Pieter De Jongh made huge changes to their teams that started in their respective previous games.

De Jongh who seemed unsatisfied at the end of the game, drafted back Nixon Mwase into the starting Xi after missing their last two games due to suspension and he paired him with former Dedza Young Soccer Centre-back, Chisomo Mpachika.

Charles Thom, Emmanuel Muyira, Chimwemwe Idana, Stain Davie, Mark Fodya were all out of the game while former Mighty Mukuru Wanderers’ goal-minder, Piliran Mapira was given his first start at the Club, Tatenda M’balaka, Uchizi Bvunga, Tathedwa Willard, Rodwell Robert were all been handed the starting role for the Central Bankers.

On the other hand, the people’s team welcomed their captain, John Lanjesi into the starting Xi and he was paired up with Nixon Nyasulu in the heart of defence.

Gomezgani Chirwa, Precious Sambani, Henry Kabitchi, Chawanangwa Gumbo, Kenneth Pasuwa, and Philip Okafor where in for Blessings Mpokera, Alick Lungu, Kesten Simbi, Cylide Senaji, Lanjesi Nkhoma, Maxwell Phodo, Patrick Mwaungulu.

After being out of the game for a while, Silver Strikers’ players knew only a gallant fight and win would suffice to keep their slim hopes in Pieter De Jongh to start putting them into the game.

Uchizi Bvunga drilled a heavy shot that missed Clever Mkungula’s right-side post before the host won the corner-kick which was eventually defended by John Lanjesi.

Seemed to be struggling in the first minutes, Yamikani Fodya who was playing as the left back with Sambani as the left attacker gifted the ball to Chinsisi Maonga but Lanjesi was quick to make a block.

The People’s Team grew into the game. It was a game played for a limited time of 50 minutes with 25 minutes each half.

The hosts have been finding it hard to record a positive result in Lilongwe against Silver Strikers and the start of the game had showed the hosts’ confidence.

They met during the official opening ceremony of the league and the Bankers relied on Nixon Mwase’s looping header to snatch the point at Bingu National Stadium after Lanjesi Nkhoma had given Bullets the lead.

After a cagey opening half-hour in which neither side were able to gain control of proceedings, it was Bulleys who came within inches of an opener as former Karonga United player Anthony Mfune clipped the bar with a fierce strike from the edge of the box.

Having found the net in each of their last 6 games in all competitions, Bullets were ahead just 2 minutes after the break. They launched an attack through the right flank where they won a corner.

Coach’s son, Kenneth Pasuwa swung it in and Mpachika rose to the occasion to head it away but it fell off on to the left-foot of Kabitchi, who scored the famous free-kick in Champions League against Amazulu. The midfield had a rocket shot into the back of the net leaving Piliran Mapirawith no option.

Righteous Banda and Yankho Singo were in for Chawanangwa Gumbo and Nigerian goal-poacher, Chinedu Philip Okafor.

With time ticking into the final 15 minutes, the hosts’ pursuit of a late comeback looked to be running out of steam, and that proved to be the case, as John Lanjesi and Clever Mkungula were in top of the game as they denied Silver to fight back.

Kamuzu Cup has become the second trophy for the Super League Champions after beating their cross-town rivals, Mighty Mukuru Wanderers to win the Charity Shield Cup back in April.

They will return next weekend for a League game against Civil Service United.