FCB Nyasa Big Bullets wrote another piece of history when they reached the final of the 2024 FDH Bank Cup final following a 3-1 victory over Moyale Barracks at Bingu National Stadium (BNS) last night.
This means Bullets will face Chipiku Stores League side Blue Eagles in the final at a date and venue yet to be announced.
Eagles defeated Karonga United 2-0 in another semi-final match last Saturday.
This is the third consecutive final for Bullets as they kept their dream of retaining the title alive.
In a match played under floodlights Wednesday, Bullets showed grit as they hit the soldiers when it mattered most. A brace from Nigerian striker Babatunde Adepoju and a goal from Ephraim Kondowe propelled the People’s Team to the final.
Kondowe opened the floodgates in the 2st minute against the run of play when he connected a pass from Adepoju. Five minutes later, Adepoju turned from provider into goal scorer with a neat finish.
The two teams went for recess with the scores at 2-0 in favour of the People’s Team.
After the break, the Lions of Kaning’ina came a changed side as they took the game to Bullets. Emmanuel Allan pulled a goal back six minutes into the second half with a powerful header.
But against the run of play, Adepoju restored Bullets two-goal cushion. The Nigerian showed individual brilliance as he beat three Moyale players, including the goalkeeper, before slotting the ball into the net.
The win was a morale booster for Bullets ahead of second leg tie against Red Arrows in the Caf Champions League at National Heroes Stadium in Lusaka, Zambia, this Saturday.
After the game, Bullets Coach Kalisto Pasuwa praised his charges for showing great character.
“We dominated the first half but the opponents came back with a good plan in the second half,” Pasuwa said.
On his part, Moyale Coach Pritchard Mwansa was dejected with the loss.
“The goals in the first half unsettled us. It was difficult for us to come back into the game,” Mwansa said.
The champions of this year’s cup will pocket K30 million plus a trophy after FDH Bank plc increased the sponsorship package to K150 million from K130 million.
Since its inception in 2021, Bullets have won it twice in 2022 and 2023. They won it in 2022 after beating their Reserve side 3-1 at Kamuzu Stadium before beating Mafco 3-0 at BNS last year.
Silver Strikers were inaugural winners of the competition after beating Ekwendeni Hammers 2-0 at BNS.
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