Wa Ganyu
This, again, ended in tears for Civil Service United. By the 90th minute, everything was under control in the FDH Bank Cup quarter finals.
Everything was ready for penalties, and goalkeeper Rahman John, formerly of Bullets reserve, employed all tactics in his book to waste precious time, just to give Civil an opportunity of a shootout against last season’s quadruple winners.
From the first minute, Bullets’ tactics were clear. They did not come to play, but to win the battle. As Civil controlled the ball, with Chikaiko Batson leading the possession from the centre, they could not steer a shot on Bullets goal and over 15 minutes elapsed with no significant attempt. It was a slow start.
The first effort that did look like an attempt came from Bullets defender Clyde Senaj at 14 minutes, whose long shot was beautifully parried away by John.
All along, Bullets stayed back, pulling in all the pressure and trying their chances. First it was Babatunde Adepoju whose off-mark effort went as far as Enugu.
Six minutes later, Civil pushed their way into Bullets’ half and left everything into the hands of Blessings Malinda to give the servants a moment of joy.
However, Bullets keeper Richard Chimbamba was alert to defuse the moment and give his side a chance to fight again, another minute.
For 20 minutes, the visitors were in control of everything. They dominated play through their wingers, Batison and Muhammad Biason.
At 23 minutes, Biason nearly scored when he got the better of Gomezgani Chirwa but his shot missed Chimbamba’s right-hand side post with an inch, Bullets surviving the assault.
As the teams neared recess, Bullets suffered a blow when their enterprising winger Chikumbutso Salima was injured and in his stead, Stanley Billiat was introduced.
In the second half, Bullets kept capitalising on counter attacks to break Civil. Chawanangwa Gumbo, Gastin Phodo and others took turns to miss Civil’s goal.
The visitors’ first substitution came at 60 minutes when China Chirwa replaced Blessings Malinda. Bullets responded at 67 minutes, they replaced Phodo with Ephraim Kondowe in search of their much needed goal that never came, nothing to write about.
The biggest moment of the game thus far came at 81 minutes. Trying to defend an attack by Bullets, Mafaiti brought down Kondowe and earned a second yellow which forced the referee to flash a red card. The noose was now tightened around Civil who had to defend and fight Babylon with 10 men on the field of play.
At 88 minutes, came the man. In need of fire power and stability, Pasuwa replaced Billiat with Precious Phiri. Whether it was in search of goals or readying for penalty kicks, only fate knew the truth. But he was the difference maker.
With this change, Bullets had unleashed their ghost. After repeated failures by Babatunde and team to find the back of the net, it all went down to the hunger of Lloyd Aaron.
The goal, and the move, touches of brilliance that will be remembered by the Bullets faithful for some time. And Civil, for the wrong reasons of their failures.
Aaron released Babatunde Adepoju at the stroke of minute 95. Baba had no time to waste. He sent a cross into the box which was well defended by Civil but it did not go far, it met a waiting Precious Phiri. And as the English say, the rest is history. Civil have lost 1-0. The match ended and there were tears everywhere.
By the time the referee blew the final whistle, Civil players were in tears and had no energy to leave the stadium. Others covered their faces while others were lying down helplessly.
In the stands, Bullets fans were cheering their team. They could not believe what football had served them. A piece of history on repeat. A piece of poetry recited on the pitch. In motion.
They could not remember the last time. For they have had many times. And many times they have ended here. Victorious.
And with that, Bullets await a date with destiny. This time, soldiers from Kaning’ina, Moyale, stand on their way.
