…as Lilongwe teams are outsmarted..
The first silverware in the new season is at stake as rivals Nyasa Big Bullets and Be Forward Wanderers clash in the final of the Ecobank Charity Shield at Kamuzu Stadium in Blantyre on Sunday afternoon.
The two teams made their way into the final after outsmarting Lilongwe-based teams in the first matches on Saturday.
Wanderers were 4-0 winners over Masters Security, with Babatunde Adeboye scoring a brace against his former side.
It was a one sided affair as the Nomads took the lead from the spot through Francis Mulimbika following a foul on Peter Katsonga by Master’s defender.
Moments later, Babatunde made it 2-0 following a defensive lapse as the 2018 Carlsberg Cup winners were caught napping in the line of duty.
The Nigerian completed his brace with a fantastic finish before Mike Kaziputa’s goal which sealed the victory for the Fisd Cup defending champions in a match where Stanley Sanudi was given marching orders before a penalty miss by the visitors.
As Wanderers were celebrating an easy victory, it wasn’t the same with their rivals Bullets as they struggled to beat Eagles in the second match.
With the 2018 Super League champions featuring some players from the reserve team, it was almost a difficult task to dismantle yet another experienced Eagles side which was determined to silence the home team in front of their thousands of supporters.
Chiukepo Msowoya was able to break the deadlock following a blunder from goalkeeper John Soko as he lost the ball to the striker when he tried to dribble past him, 1-0.
However, Eagles responded in the second half with a fantastic strike from Maxwell Salambura to beat Ernest Kakhobwe in goals for the people’s team.
Bullets had no choice but to bring on board Patrick Phiri who tormented Eagles’ defence like nobody’s business.
The league champions made sure that all was well as substitute Hassan Kajoke scored the winning goal with less than ten minutes to play on the clock.
The Airtel Top 8 Cup champions pressed harder in search for the equalizer but Bullets’ defence stood firm to set up a Blantyre derby showdown final with rivals Wanderers in what looks to be a cracker.
Before the final, Eagles will meet Masters Security for a third place slot.
This year’s shield is being used to spread awareness on the abductions and killings of people with albinism in the country.
