FCB Nyasa Big Bullets will appear in the FDH Bank Cup final for the third time in a row after terminating Moyale Barracks’ road in the tournament at Bingu National Stadium on Wednesday evening.
In a game that was delayed by 30 minutes due to Moyale’s late arrival, the people’s team scored twice in the first half before Moyale Barracks pulled one back early in the second half but their hope of staging an indelible comeback was dashed away by the third goal which was scored in the 71st minute.
After an end-to-end start to the game, Bullets opened the scores in the 21st minute when Ephraim Kondowe gave them the lead before Babatunde Adepoju extended the advantage in the 26th minute. Moyale Barracks came stronger in the second half and they pulled one back in the 53rd minute when Emmanuel Allan headed home the cross from the right flank. However, the Nigerian striker completed his brace later in the game for Bullets to book the spot in the final of the tournament. – they beat their Reserve side in 2022 to win it before beating Mafco FC in 2023 to win it.
Moyale Barracks and FCB Nyasa Big Bullets do not meet consistently in cup games but they have had memorable meetings as of late.
Chikumbutso Kanyenda is currently in the Junior teams’ coaching panel, he will not have to remember his penalty miss in 2008 at Kamuzu when Moyale Barracks carried the Standard Bank Cup after emerging 5-4 winners on penalties.
Most of the time the game between Moyale Barracks and Bullets in cups have been decided on penalties with only two games ending in regulation time- Gabadinho Mhango scored the only goal that powered Bullets to a 1-0 win over the Soldiers in 2012 Presidential Cup final at Civo before Diverson Mlozi’s strike decided the tie in 2015 in Standard Bank.
Bullets had to battle back to win the Presidential Cup in 2016 when Chiukepo Msowoya canceled Wiseman Kamanga’s first half strike before the people’s team claimed a win on penalties as Boy Boy Chima saw his penalty strike rattling the right post of the goalkeeper.
Moyale Barracks claimed a win in the FISD Challenge Cup in 2017. Khuda Muyaba scored a brace while Chiukepo Msowoya and Fischer Kondowe scored for Bullets. Moyale went on to lose the Cup to Kamuzu Barracks who beat them 1-0 courtesy of Manase Chiyesa’s goal.
Bullets booted Moyale Barracks out of the Airtel Top 8 Cup in 2018 when Patrick Phiri scored a late winner at Kamuzu Stadium before the two teams settling for a barren stalemate in Mzuzu and their recent meeting is a 4-all draw which Bullets won on penalties.
Following their win, Kalisto Pasuwa’s men will face Chipiku Central Region Football League side, Blue Eagles in the final of the game. Eagles beat Karonga United in the semi-finals to book their spot in the pinnacle of the cup.
Babatunde regains his scoring boots
With another tough game coming on Saturday, Kalisto Pasuwa had to rest some of his players against Moyale Barracks as they will travel to Lusaka on Thursday to face Red Arrows in the second leg of the Caf Champions League.
However, having a spine in attack was the decision that he couldn’t change. Babatunde had a new partner, Ephraim Kondowe started as twin strikers. It wasn’t a bad decision, the two strikers contributed to the win.
Babatunde was named the player of the match after being involved in all the three goals that the team scored, taking his tally to nine in eight games.
A game which started with both teams hunting for an early goal, Bullets took the lead just 21 minutes into the game. Babatunde stretches outside the box to receive the ball between two defenders before spotting Kondowe in good place and the striker slotted it into the back of the net to celebrate in front of their supporters who bathed red water.
Babatunde has been the subject of criticism before finding his scoring boots. He was missing several chances but he is not missing them now, does he? He turned from provider to scorer five minutes later. Stanley Billiati burst forward before beating Peter Ng’ambi to create a passing space and he slotted it to the Nigerian striker who beat Olise Nkwazi to double the advantage for the people’s team.
Despite Moyale Barracks pulling one back early in the second half, Babatunde remained a threat. His pace and physique matched with Maneno Nyoni at the back. Moyale were pushing for an equaliser and they opened at the back with only two men behind the ball. They were not enough to stop the lanky striker. The ball cleared from Bullets’ penalty area found Babatunde who grappled with two Moyale’s defenders before beating the keeper for the third goal.
He was rewarded with the Player of the Match award after the game. The Nigerian striker who is said to be on loan at Bullets from Venda Academy has now recovered his form and he has scored nine goals in eight matches.
Bullets will need him when they travel to Zambia.
Moyale fought back in the second half but fell short
Two quick goals by FCB Nyasa Big Bullets in the first half sapped the morale for the Kaning’ina Soldier. Prichard Mwansa admitted that failing to do warm ups affected his boys in the game but after the recess, the Soldiers were second to none in the game.
Chifundo Damba was called in just 33 minutes into the game to replace Boneface Chiumia. Crifford Chimulambe has a superb vision and his decision making is phenomenal.
Kalisto Pasuwa had to call Lloyd Aaron Banega after noting that Moyale had been overtaken by Charles Nkhoma and Chimulambe. Their right flank produced dangerous crosses. Moyale Barracks didn’t last longer before stabbed home.
Khumbo Mhone’s cross from the right flank found Allan unmarked in the penalty area and the striker powered his header into the back of the net beating Richard Chimbamba who has been the most reliable goalkeeper for Bullets this season.
Maneno Nyoni stood firm at the back, Nkhoma and Chimulambe dictate the midfield. A high-pressing football, swift attack, Moyale were playing an appetizing football.
However, their hopes were sashed by Bullets’ third goal. Luke Chima nearly pulled one back late in the game but his header landed in the palms of Chimbamba.
Moyale will shift their focus to Super league after bowing out of the National tournament.
