FCB Nyasa Big Bullets have made history by becoming the first team to reach five consecutive Airtel Top 8 Cup finals, securing their sixth overall appearance, after defeating Karonga United 2-1 at Bingu National Stadium on Saturday evening.
The defending champions started brightly, dominating possession and creating early chances.
In the 6th minute, Chikumbutso Salima was fouled on the edge of the area, setting up a dangerous free kick. Peter Banda whipped the ball into the box for Babatunde Adepoju, whose header went just wide.
Karonga United responded quickly with a set piece of their own, but Patrick Phiri’s 9th-minute effort flew over the bar. The match remained competitive, with both sides showing attacking intent.
Bullets nearly opened the scoring in the 11th minute when Banda released Hassan Kajoke, but Karonga goalkeeper Maclean Mwale forced him wide and smothered the chance.
Karonga’s best opportunity of the first half came in the 16th minute when Allen Chihana found himself unmarked in the box, only to be denied by a superb save from Bullets’ keeper Richard Chimbamba.
The breakthrough finally arrived in the 26th minute when Salima connected Banda’s free kick from the right, heading home to give Bullets a well-earned 1-0 lead.
Just three minutes later, Henry Chiwaya had a golden opportunity to double the advantage after meeting an attempt from Babatunde, but his tame shot was easily gathered by Mwale.
Karonga remained a threat on the counter and nearly equalised in the 36th minute when Cloude Mkoko missed a free header from close range.
Just before halftime, Salima again tested Mwale with a powerful shot, but the Karonga keeper was equal to the task, keeping the deficit to a single goal at the break.
Karonga came out with renewed determination in the second half and were rewarded in the 53rd minute. A well-executed free kick by Phiri found Robert Luhanga, who slotted home to level the score at 1-1.
But the joy was short-lived. In the 63rd minute, substitute Chawanangwa Gumbo threaded a pass through to Hassan Kajoke, who finished clinically to restore Bullets’ lead.
The closing stages saw Bullets control the tempo while Karonga continued to threaten on the counter.
In the 78th minute, Salima went down in the box under pressure, but referee Easter Zimba waved away appeals for a penalty. Moments later, Karonga’s Casto Kayuni made a dramatic goal-line clearance to deny Salima once again.
After the match, Bullets head coach Peter Mponda praised his team’s resilience.
“It was a good result. Our opponents were dangerous on the break and created some good chances. We were a bit shaky defensively, but our midfield and attack did well and created a lot of opportunities,” Mponda said.
Karonga United coach Oscar Kaunda remained positive despite the loss.
“Congratulations to FCB Nyasa Big Bullets. It was a good game. I’m proud of my boys—they’re a young team and they gave everything,” he said.
FCB Nyasa Big Bullets will now face the winner of Sunday’s semi-final between Civo Service United and Silver Strikers, also at Bingu National Stadium.
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