Kakhobwe heroics send Bullets into quarterfinals

Ernest Kakhobwe was the hero of the day for Big Bullets as he saved three penalties against Blue Eagles to send his team into the last eight of the Presidential Cup on Wednesday afternoon at Nankhaka Stadium.

Gabadinho Mhango famously sealed victory over Moyale Barracks in the 2012 Presidential Cup final at Civo Stadium and on this occasion, the decisive contribution came from Kakhobwe as he saved the three penalties.

The regulation time ended goalless as both teams failed to create goal scoring opportunities.

Eagles struggled for rhythm as they failed to register a single shot at Bullets’s goal.

The visitors had two chances through Chiukepo Msowoya that were saved by John Soko. Come second half, the hosts ramped up the pressure as John Malidadi headed straight at Kakhobwe from an Alupheous Nyoni corner.

At the other end, Mussa Manyenje drilled a speculative effort off target from Msowoya’s pass. Both teams made some changes as the clock was running faster. Muhamad Sulumba and George Nyirenda came in for Bullets while Eagles brought in Wister Phiri.

Phiri made an immediate impact as he displayed fine technique to collect Gilbert Phiri’s 72nd-minute pass only to fire straight at Kakhobwe.

Bullets should have got the opener just few minutes away from the final whistle but Yamikani Fodya’s free kick went over the cross bar and after 90 minutes of play, it was goalless.

Penalties had to be used to separate the two. Unfortunately for Eagles’s Phiri, Malidadi, Ackim Kazombo and Enock Likoswe suffered greater disappointment in the shootout as they saw Kakhobwe saving their spot kicks, allowing Bullets to seal the victory and sail into the last eight where they will play Kabwafu United at Mzuzu Stadium.