Rachael Kaphaizi
As it was last year, so it is this year. Defending Champions FCB Nyasa Big Bullets has repeated their story recorded last year by beating Civil Service United 2-0 in the Airtel Top 8 first leg.
The only difference was that last year Bullets scored two away goals in the first leg while this year they have scored the same goals in the first leg, but at home.
Opening the season seven of the Airtel Top 8 Cup at Kamuzu Stadium in Blantyre today, Bullets scored two quick goals when Civil defenders went to bed.
Stanley Billiat started writing this season’s Top 8 story by scoring a beauty in the 7th minute after Yankho Singo had managed to set him inside the penalty box. Civil goalkeeper Rahman John charged but missed it with Billiat tapping it into the net.
Before the Civil Servants could regroup themselves, Bullets had already scored a second, five minutes later through man of the match Chawanangwa Gumbo who finished home a well-cooked pass from striker Ephraim Kondowe.
Civil coach Abbas Makawa was not impressed, he made changes at 27 minutes with Damiano Kunje and John Dambuleni replacing Kelvin Kadzinje and Boston Kabango.
It was enough to fix Civil’s problems at the back and Bullets struggled to find space.
The visitors were able to create chances but they were shy in sending the ball into the net.
At 45 minutes, Civil had a great chance through Festus Duwe but his shot bounced off the woodwork and from the rebound goalkeeper Richard Chimbamba intelligently stretched himself to clear the danger.
The Lilongwe based civil servants kept pushing in the second half but they could not get an away goal.
They only have another chance to turn the tables in Lilongwe when the two sides meet again in the second leg and coach Makawa has hope: “If they [Bullets] managed to score 2 goals at home, we can do the same at our backyard. We will go back and plan well.”
Bullets assistant coach Micheal Ngore agreed to Makawa that Civil can turn the tables in Lilongwe.
“We cannot say we will progress, let’s wait until we face them again in Lilongwe,” he said.
