A tale of a master and his protege. Kalisto Pasuwa represented by Heston Munthali on the touchline, got the better of Peter Mponda. FCB Nyasa Big Bullets needed the winning mentality to win the Charity Shield Cup for the seventh in a game that was in the hands of Silver Strikers, as conceded by Bankers’ boss during the post-match interviews.
“We gave the game away,” he said. “There were minutes when the game was ours but we gave the game away and even during the penalties, we had the chance to win the game, but am happy with the performance.”
Ecstasy showered in Bankers’ stands when Gift Chunga finished off Chimwemwe Idana’s pass but it was hung back when they saw the flag of the Assistant Referee, Hendrix Maseko was in the air to signal that the scorer was offside.
A goalless stalemate pushed the game to the post-match penalties with no extra time allowed. FCB Nyasa Big Bullets were on a disadvantageous side when the first penalty taker, Precious Sambani blazed over the bar.
However, Duncan Nyoni who was frozen by Mologen during regulation time brought Bullets back into the game when he rattled the post with what was the decisive penalty. Gift Chunga had a good game but he also gave Bullets life when he failed to score his penalty after Enerst Petro struck the base of the post with his penalty.
During the penalty shootout, Silver had the chance to win the game twice but their intelligence quotient let them down. Newly signed Innocent Nyasulu saved Chikondi Kamanga’s last penalty for Bullets to win the game 6-7.
Player of the Season, Patrick Mwangulu, Castel Challenge Cup player of the tournament, Lanjesi Nkhoma were all in civilian attire, Gomezgani Chirwa, and Clyde Senaji Navade were all not even on the bench.
Six players for Bullets who were not with the team last season, started the game against their inter-city rivals, Silver Strikers, Mponda named three new signings in his starting Xi.
Newly signed Zimbabwean defender, Collin Mujuru was handed his full debut just 48 hours after completing his move to the Club. He put a strong performance in the heart of defense alongside versatile Blessings Mpokera.
Towering George Chikooka was fans’ favorite on his day at Silver, making resplendent stops including possessing beautiful footwork, a quality demanded by the modern goalkeeper to allow the team to play from the back.
Thousands of Bullets supporters were steadfastly supportive, singing “mwanayo mwanayo, mwana ndi mwana” meaning Peter Mponda is still a learning species as compared to Kalisto stands.
Silver Strikers produced a performance worth applause, they were behind the ball in the first 10 minutes but regrouped and upped the tempo of the game.
Glimmering Chikumbutso Salima on his first start for Kalisto Pasuwa was a threat to the Bankers. Precious Phiri deployed as a left attacker couldn’t keep his composure after being picked up by Salima on the edge of the box as he blazed his effort over the bar within the first seven minutes.
Chikooka’s judgement on the ball was sumptuous. When he left his line to amend his defender’s failure called for applause from the fans. Maxwell Phodo spun past Maxwell Paipi into the penalty area but the former Chitipa United’s skipper stopped him before denying Salima from hitting the back of the net.
Yankho Singo was yellow-carded within the first minutes and he was restricted from putting tackles in Midfield allowing Silver Strikers to take over. The last fifteen minutes saw the Bankers on top of the game. Binwell Katinji rattled the post with his header after being found by Mark Fodya.
In the second half, Silver Strikers were forced to make a change when Nixon Mwase sustained an injury, and was replaced by Innocent Shema while Bullets made planned changes with Mathews Masamba, and Ernest Petro all replacing Phodo and Gumbo.
The changes saw Bullets regaining the possession in midfield but their striking efforts were out of convincing, no wonder both Hassan Kajoke and Ephraim Kondowe were called in for Babatunde Adepoju and Crispin Mapemba.
Yamikani Mologen invaded Silver’s half but his cross was unmet by both Kondowe and Kajoke. Gift Chunga’s left-footed effort was well-palmed by Nyasulu.
Heston Munthali conceded that Silver Strikers gave them a tough game but was happy that they managed to retain the Charity Shield Cup.
“It was not an easy game, but we are happy that we have retained the Charity Shield for the seventh time. We still have a lot to do to get the best out of these players,” he said.
Despite losing to his former team, Mponda was satisfied with the performance of the players and said his boys were ready for the season.
“It was a very good game and the boys gave a good performance which is very encouraging. To our assessment as a technical panel we are impressed with what they have shown us after this game I think we are ready, even if you give us a game tomorrow we will be ready to play”, said Mponda.
The TNM Super League season kicks off on Saturday with Silver Strikers facing Chitipa United at home while FCB Nyasa Big Bullets will be at Dedza Stadium to face Dedza Dynamos.
