They have got their mojo back, and they have cruised to the Quarters of the prestigious FDH Bank.
The people’s football team FCB Nyasa Bullets on Sunday lived to its reputation as the country’s giants by stamping superiority after beating sworn-in enemies Mighty Mukuru Wanderers two-goals to one in FDH Bank Cup Round of 16 at Blantyre football mecca, Kamuzu Stadium.
This victory was a big boost for underfire Bullets Zimbabwean gaffer Kallisto Pasuwa who sang hyms of praise for his determined players who were desperate for victory for the above the rim classic performance.
“The players were hungry for a win,” said an overly excited Pasuwa.
It was a sad story for Wanderers coach and former Flames tactician, Meck Mwase as his search for silverware this season continues in vain and to no avail so far.
After the match, a visibly disappointed Meck Mwase said the defeat was painful but emphasized that to the team will go back to the drawing board in their camp regroup, reorganize, recharge and re-strategize for next upcoming games.
“We will come back strong. This game is now in the past and we are now focusing on the matches ahead,” said the former Flames defender.
For FCB Bullets, it was sweet victory.
In a typical ‘Nkhondo ndi anansi’ scenario, Bullets’ lanky Nigerian forward Babatunde Adepoju punished his former club, Mighty Wanderers, with a brace in the first half while Cameroonian Thierry consolation in the 86th minute.
Before the match, the Nomads were favourites over last year’s champions who are currently not in good form in the TNM Super League, as they have just only managed to win four wins out of 14 games.
The Lali Lubani Boys went into the match full of confidence as they comfortably sit second on the league table to the Nankhaka-based Peter Mponda-led team, the Bankers, Silver Strikers.
The Nomads’ were not so might overconfidence proved to be their undoing as they conceded just a minute into the match when Babatunde connected midfielder Chikumbutso Salima’s cross to beat Wanderers goalkeeper Dalitso Khungwa.
The early goal surprised not only the Nomads. Even the red and white sea that covered the northern stands took a second before they understood that they had taken the lead.
On-fire goal scoring machine, Babatunde then completed a brace in 26th minute with a low shot after Gastin Phodo flicked a sleek pass from Salima in the box.
While the first goal was an unexpected happenstance, the second goal was a sweet sensation and drove the ecstatic Bullets supporters into a frenzy.
Frustrated, Mighty Mukuru Wanderers, pulled out Khungwa and introduced William Thole, a move that paid off as Thole kept the rampaging Bullets at bay, but it was too late for him save the Nomads from the jaws of defeat.
Even after substitute Sama, who replaced Christopher Kumwembe, pulled one back with four minutes before the end of regulation time, Bullets still maintained the oomph and carried the day home to book a ticket into the quarter-finals of the prestigious FDH Cup.
“The players were hungry for a win.”
Kallisto Pasuwa
FCB Bullets Coach
