History repeated: Bullets beat Moyale to win Presidential Cup

Nyasa Big Bullets prevailed on penalties as they eventually got the better of Moyale Barracks in the Presidential Cup final for the second time in four years.

Bullets without Mike Mkwate, Dalitso Sailesi, Muhamad Sulumba, Bashir Maunde and Henry Kabichi started the match on a very good note but were not clinical enough to put the ball in the back of the net.

Moyale had no shot on target in the opening 30 minutes but got their opener ten minutes before the interval through Wiseman Kamanga.

Bullets pressed harder in the opening minutes, with Chiukepo Msowoya and Mussa Manyenje all coming closer to scoring only to be denied by Ollis Nkhwazi in goals for the visitors who were without Juma Chikwenga, Khuda Muyaba, Gasten Simkonda and Lovemore Mitengo.

The contest was at odds as both sides went at it before fatigue took its toll, with Nkhwazi forcing a fine reaction save out of Msowoya after getting on the end of Manyenje’s inswinging cross.

Despite creating lots of goal scoring opportunities, it was Moyale who got an opening goal.

A long ball from Mtopijo Njewa caught Miracle Gabeya napping, allowing Kamanga to slot past Ernest Kakhobwe into the back of the net, 1-0.

Bullets should have levelled the scoreline through Sankhani Mkandawire who rose higher in the sky to head over the cross bar.

With some few minutes to go before the interval, Nkhwazi limped off, allowing Chikwenga to mine the goal mouth and it was 1-0 at half time.

Come second half, the visitors were a better side as Bullets failed to control possession especially in the midfield where George Nyirenda and Kondwani Kumwenda were operating.

Niikiza Aimable had to come in for MacPhallen Ngwira who was having a bad game.

The Mzuzu based Soldiers might have doubled their lead inside the last 25 minutes through Kamanga and Crispin Fukizi, whose shot was saved by Kakhobwe in front of a goal.

Moments later, Bullets introduced Diverson Mlozi for Nyirenda whilst Victor Mwale came in for Zondiwe Munthali.

With less than ten minutes to go, Bullets’ penalty shout was turned down by referee Duncan Lengani as Moyale Barracks defended jealously.

Just when the Soldiers thought it was their year, a moment of madness came.

An additional five minutes on the clock handed Bullets a relief when Timothy Nyirenda handled the ball inside the penalty box, leaving Lengani with no choice but to point to the spot kick from which Msowoya stepped in and converted without problems.

The match had to be decided by penalties. Moyale’s Lovemore Jere and Crispin Fukizi missed their spot kicks whilst Pilirani Zonda and Chiukepo Msowoya missed their penalties for Bullets.

In the sudden death, Fischer Kondowe scored the important penalty for the 2012 winners but Boy Boy Chima saw his spot kick hitting the woodwork to send Bullets fans into massive celebrations as they survived a scare to win the match in a dramatic fashion, 4-3 it ended.

The win sees Bullets equalling Mighty Wanderers’ record of winning the cup twice but as for Moyale Barracks, they have to wait for another year.

For being champions, Bullets pocketed K10 million and a trophy whilst the losing side pocketed K5 million.