FCB Nyasa Big Bullets have advanced to the Semi-Finals of the 2025 FDH Bank Cup after a 2-1 victory against Kamuzu Barracks at Kamuzu Stadium in Blantyre.
Peter Banda assisted the first goal for the home side in the 33rd minute after he dribbled past defenders and sent a through ball to Ephraim Kondowe who slotted it home.
Two minutes later, Kondowe assisted Hassan Kajoke to extend the lead.
However, Kamuzu Barracks responded swiftly with a counter-attack in the 38th minute, as Geoffrey Suman headed in a cross from Zeliat Nkhoma. The ball struck the inside of the right post before nestling into the left side of the net.
Initially, the game delayed for about 30 minutes due to conflicting colours as both teams had worn white socks and Bullets had to change to red for the match to start.
As the first half started, Bullets came with an attacking intent.
Kajoke was the first to threaten in the 4th minute when he managed to beat two defenders, only to be fouled. The resulting freekick was taken by Banda but it was cleared by Kamuzu Barracks’ Gegory Nachipo.
Nonetheless, it was Kamuzu Barracks who had the first shot on goal in the 15th minute as Kanjira’s shot was parried away by Bullets’ goalie, Richard Chimbamba, to result into a corner.
Starting from the 26th minute, the chemistry between Bullets’ Peter Banda and Ephraim Kondowe started to bear fruits but the duo was not clinical up until the two goals were scored.
After Kamuzu Barracks’ goal, the away side seemed to have been revived as they started to keep ball possession.
After recess, Bullets’ gaffer, Peter Mponda, brought in Wongani Lungu and Mike Mkwate for Bright Munthali and Frank Willard. Kamuzu Barracks had their own changes 5 minutes later as they introduced John Mchema for Samson Chiponda.
10 minutes later, Kanjira surprised Chimbamba with a long-range effort which he did manage to save.
But tensions arose on the technical panel of Kamuzu Barracks as their coach, Nicholas Mhango, was booked for what the officials said ‘foul language’.
This seemed to have motivated the side and coach Mhango introduced Samuel Gunda for Gerald Chirwa and on the other side, Yankho Singo was taken off for Aaron Chilipa.
Kanjira continued with his long-range efforts, and one of the highlights was in the 69th minute but Chimbamba stood his ground.
KB striker, Zeliati Nkhoma, failed to convert any of the chances he was given and he was booked in the 82nd minute for diving.
In the dying minutes, Coach Mponda replaced Ephraim Kondowe and Peter Banda — his first half assassins, for striker Maxwell Phodo and defender Yamikani Mologenio, while Coach Mhango, on the opposing bench, introdiced defender Zinjani Yona for attacker, Olson Kanjira.
As the referee, Godfrey Nkakananga, added 5 minutes in injury time, the first minute of it Bullets had their last shot on target as Kajoke took a free-kick which was saved by Hastings Katoma Banda, KB’s goalie.
At the end of the match, Bullets’ Chawanangwa Gumbo was awarded the man-of-the-match accolade for his exceptional contributions to the game.
Mhango, Coach for Kamuzu Barracks, noted that they lost many chances in the second half, where he said they played better than the first.
“We played better than these people but they were lucky to score those two goals. At first, they played better for only 10 minutes. After that, we pressed them and managed to create chances but failed to utilise them, later on, after that, we missed the defending procedures and conceded,” Mhango said.
Reacting to his booking, he said he was emotional with how his side was performing not that he had a problem with the referees.
Assistant Coach for FCB Nyasa Big Bullets, Gilbert Chirwa, described the game as a ‘good one’.
“In the first-half, we enjoyed the possession but for sure our colleagues came in the second half. But we got the result we were looking for. I think the boys defended well,” Chirwa said.
Bullets’ reached this stage when they won 3-0 against The Boyz.
For Kamuzu Barracks, they reached this stage after a victory against Bangwe All Stars, 3-1 on post-match penalties, following a 1-1 draw in regulation time.
FDH Quarter-Finals will return on Sunday when Creck Sporting Club takes on Mighty Wanderers.
