FISD CUP: Kumkwawa saves Bullets as Blue Eagles edge past Tigers

If there are miracle victories in football then Nyasa Big Bullets had one today over Wizards FC in the FISD Cup played at Kamuzu Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

The peoples team were facing a highly spirited Peter Mponda’s side which gave a tough run for their money in the entire 90 minutes of play.

The rookies took their lead in the early minutes of the first half through Kondwani Majoni following Bullets’s failure to handle with set pieces, 1-0.

From there, Wizards dominated the proceedings as they pressed harder in search for more goals in order to completely kill off the game in front of thousands of Bullets supporters.

However, it was Bullets who hit back through Collen Nkhulambe who headed past Wanipa Gondwe from a Pilirani Zonda’s right flank cross, 1-1.

The goal brought a relief to Bullets players who were now in control of the match and Muhamad Sulumba almost gave them a lead when he was set through by Dalitso Sailesi only to be denied by Gondwe who was quick to leave his line of duty before making a crucial clearance.

Come second half, Bullets brought in Mussa Manyenje and Diverson Mlozi for Sulumba and Anzeru Joseph. And it only took Bullets less than Seven minutes for them to score their second goal through Pilirani Zonda who scored a screamer just outside the penalty box to send all Bullets fans into massive celebrations.

Wizards also introduced Patrick Phiri for Isaac Mwale while William Salama was also given a chance to showcase his talent for the rookies.

Bullets were on fire, with Henry Kabichi and Kondwani Kumwenda controlling the midfield and it had to take Gondwe’s intervention to deny Mlozi from increasing the lead.

Bullets made their last change by introducing Chiukepo Msowoya for Nkhulambe but paid dearly as Wizards started gaining momentum through Phiri who was terrorizing Bullets’ defence without fear.

Just when every Bullets fan thought the game was sealed, Wizards equalized. Poor ball distribution from Kumkwawa found Phiri unmarked and wasted no time by releasing Majoni who made no mistake by putting the ball into the back of the net, 2-2.

This goal rejuvenated Wizards’ tempo and Kumkwawa almost conceded another goal when he failed to handle Phiri’s shot, allowing the ball to pass him only to calm the situation some seconds later and after 90 minutes of play, it ended 2-all.

The match had to be decided on penalties where Kumkwawa turned from a villain to a here as he saved three penalties to send his Bullets into the round of 16 of the competition.

Zonda and Manyenje missed their spot-kicks while Simeon Singa, Phiri and Damiano Kunje saw their penalties well saved by Kumkwawa to end the match 5-4 in favor of Bullets.

Elsewhere, a brace from Gilbert Chirwa inspired Blue Eagles to a comfortable 2-nil victory over Azam Tigers at Kalulu Stadium to progress to the round of 16.

It was a fantastic afternoon for the area 30 based side who were winless in their opening three league matches in the second round to drop up to third in the standings.

At Mzuzu Stadium, Epac FC condemned Moyale Barracks to a 4-3 defeat on post match penalties following a goalless 90 minutes, in a match where the Soldiers dominated.

The result sees Epac FC progressing to the round of 16 of the competition.