Bullets through to Airtel Top 8 semifinals

By nganati Wa Nganati

Defending champions FCB Nyasa Big Bullets advanced to the semifinals of the 2024 Airtel Top 8 following 2-0 victory over Civil Service United on aggregate.

The quarterfinals second leg ended goal-less at Civo Stadium on Saturday but Bullets won the tie after beating Civil 2-0 at Kamuzu Stadium last month.

Bullets have joined Mighty Mukuru Wanderers and Silver Strikers in the semifinals of the Airtel Top 8. They will face either Kamuzu Barracks or Chitipa United, who face-off at the same venue on Sunday.

Chitipa are also one foot into the semifinals after beating KB 2-0 in the first leg at Karonga Ground last month.

Civil were hoping to turn the tables in the second leg but both teams fired blanks.

Bullets had a slight upper hand and created few chances.

Nigerian striker Babatunde Adepoju blasted his effort over the bar in the 17th minute. A minute later, Stanley Biliati missed another chance but shot wide when he was unmarked.

Civil were dealt a blow when Captain Moses Banda was substituted due to injury in the 23rd minute and was replaced by  Oscar Luwale.

Towards the end of the first half, Bullets introduced Maxwell Gasten Phodo for Ernest Petro, who struggled for the better of the first half.

Civil made a double substitution when they introduced Kingsley Benson and Christopher Gototo for Sammy Phiri and Damiano Kunje.

After the break, Bullets introduced Lameck Gamphani and Chikumbutso Salima for Billiati and Precious Phiri.

Seven minutes after recess, Blessings Malinda had a chance to put Civil infront but he shot wide.

Babatunde got his second chance of the match and managed to beat goalkeeper Blessings Juma but his effort was cleared off the line by John Dambuleni.

Bullets coach Kalisto Pasuwa, who is looking to win the Airtel Top 8 for a second consecutive year, rued missed chances.

” We tried to open up the opponents in the second but unfortunately, we missed those few chances we got,” said Pasuwa.

On his part, Civil assistant coach Wilson Chidati said he was disappointed with the exit.

” It was a tough match and we wanted a win to overturn the tables,” said Chidati.

Wanderers, who won the Airtel Top 8 in 2022, will face two-time winners Silver in the semifinals.

Wanderers advanced to the semifinals of the competition after 4-2 victory over Bangwe All Stars on post-match penalties. The two teams were tied at 1-1 on aggregate.

Silver booked a place in the semifinals after clobbering Premier Bet Dedza Dynamos 6-2 on aggregate.

Since its inception in 2017, Bullets and Silver are the only sides that have won the Airtel Top 8 twice each.

Silver were inaugural winners in 2017 when they beat Wanderers 10-9 on post-match penalties after goal-less in regulation time.

They won it again after beating Karonga United 1-0 in 2019. Bullets won their first Airtel Top 8 trophy in 2021 following 5-3 win over Silver on post-match penalties before they triumphed 2-1 over Mafco last year.

Blue Eagles and Wanderers won it in 2018 and 2022 respectively.