Precious Phiri sent FCB Nyasa Big Bullets fans on cloud nine when he scored the winner with eight minutes to fulltime as the Malawian side sucker-punched Zambian champions Red Arrows in a Caf Champions League preliminary round first leg match at Bingu National Stadium Sunday.
Bullets showed great character as they came from behind to claim a vital 2-1 victory over Arrows.
The victory means Bullets have an advantage ahead of the second leg slated for National Heroes Stadium in Lusaka, Zambia, on Saturday.
However, Bullets just need a draw in the second leg to progress to the second round of the competition.
The People’s Team showed that class is permanent having struggled in domestic football this season.
After a barren first half, in which both teams wasted good chances, the two teams saved the best dish for the second half.
After conceding in the 57th minute as Ricky Banda was left unmarked inside the box to give the visitors the lead, Bullets turned the match around in a space of Babatunde Adepoju started the comeback with a good goal in the 77th minute when he outmuscled an Arrows’ defender before firing a powerful shot into the bottom corner of the net.
The goal energised Bullets as they came wave after wave looking for the winning goal.
They got the winner through Phiri.
Phiri kept his calm and fired a hard and low shot, beating Arrows goalkeeper Charles Kalumba.
The stadium went ecstatic.
It was another precious moment for Phiri, who has turned himself into a poster boy for Bullets this season.
Bullets held on for the slender victory.
Before the turn around, Bullets also had several chances but were wasteful in front of the goal, especially in the first half.
Maxwell Gasten Phodo and Ronald Chitiyo were the main culprits before they were taken off for Ephraim Kondowe and Stanley Biliati, respectively.
On the other hand, Arrows had the best chance of the match in the first half when Richard Chimbamba gifted Ackim Mumba the ball.
Mumba passed it to Banda, who then shot straight into the palms of the Bullets goalkeeper.
After recess, Arrows introduced Saddam Yusuf Phiri for Cedrick Onyumbe.
In the later stages of the match, Bullets were also forced to substitute Yankho Singo for Blessings Mpokera due to injury.
Despite the win, Bullets Coach Kalisto Pasuwa said the battle is not over yet.
“After we conceded, we added numbers to the attack. We pressed them hard and they succumbed to pressure. We have got plans for the second leg,” Pasuwa said.
On his part, Arrows Coach Chisi Mudaala Mbewe admitted that they made life difficult for themselves but said the tie is far from over.
“This is not the result we wanted. We made some mistakes and got punished. They got momentum and won the game. We know what is at stake. We go back to training with our heads up and qualify for the next round,” he said.
The win over Arrows is the second at home for Bullets in the Caf Champions League in five matches.
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