2021 penalty miss haunts Levison Maganizo again as he hands Bullets Airtel Top 8 Cup title

If misfortune constantly accompanies you, then that is precisely how Levison Maganizo is feeling at the moment. 

The Silver Strikers midfielder has become the first player in the Airtel Top 8 Cup competition to miss two penalties in a final against the same opponent.

FCB Nyasa Big Bullets reached the final of the Airtel Top 8 Cup in 2021, their second appearance since the tournament’s launch in 2017. They faced Silver Strikers at Kamuzu Stadium in Blantyre. With the score tied 1-1, the match went to a penalty shootout. Maganizo took Silver’s fifth penalty, following successful conversions by all previous takers. 

However, Ernest Kakhobwe saved his attempt, allowing Nickson Nyasulu to score the winning penalty and claim Bullets’ first Airtel Top 8 Cup title.

The two teams met again in the final of the same competition four years later, with the match taking place at Bingu National Stadium in Lilongwe. Regular time ended 1-1, with Maxwell Phodo scoring for the Bullets and Stain Davie equalising for the Central Bankers, leading to a penalty shootout. When the score was tied at 3-3, Maganizo was given another chance to make amends from the spot. Unfortunately, he repeated his mistake from the 2021 final, shooting over the crossbar and allowing Bullets to score and retain the cup. 

Ephraim Kondowe scored the winning penalty, securing Bullets’ third consecutive cup title and fourth overall, making them the most successful club in the competition. 

Bullets ultimately won the game 4-3 on penalties, a result that will haunt Maganizo for the years to come.