Nyasa Big Bullets shrugged off giant killers, Masters Security FC, whitewashing them 5-0 at Kamuzu Stadium on Wednesday to qualify for the Carlsberg Cup round-of-16. Elsewhere, the cup produced upsets.
Substitute striker, Chiukepo Msowoya’s brace and a goal each from defender Emmanuel Zoya, midfielders Kondwani Kumwenda and Fischer Kondowe ensured Bullets’ progression.
Msowoya, who replaced Niyikiza Aimable on the stroke of half-time scored with his first attempt, a simple tap-in, following Zoya’s throw-in at the back post.
Kumwenda grabbed the cushion goal after making the most of Kondowe’s corner-kick to score from close range in the 48th minute, before Zoya added the third in the 75th minute.
Msowoya made it 4-0 in the 89th minute before Kondowe hammered the last nail on the visitors’ coffin.
The Benjamin Kumwenda’s Masters have themselves to blame for the loss as they could have killed it off in the early stages of the game, but Waliko Mhango hit the post, before Duncan Nyoni’s bullet produced the best from the hosts’ goalkeeper, Ernest Kakhobwe.
Apart from Zoya and Aimable, Bullets also handed rare first-team starts to attacking midfielder Amadu Makawa and striker Musa Manyenje.
Still in Blantyre at MDC Stadium, Wizards stunned Blue Eagles 2-1 as the cops exited the cup, a few days after beating Be Forward Wanderers 2-1 in a league match.
In Lilongwe, Silver Strikers scored with the last kick of the match to beat Capital City rivals, Civo United, 1-0 at Silver Stadium and dump them out of the cup.
Mathews Sibale broke the hearts of Civo when he headed in the winner to send Silver into the round of-16 .Silver will host Zolozolo in the round of-16.
Sibale scored when most thought that the match was heading into penalties with Civo visibly employing delaying tactics.
Silver dominated the first 15 minutes but lacked the killer punch upfront, with Sibale and Tizgobere Kumwenda as the main culprits.
Sibale had a goal correctly ruled out for offside by referee Easter Zimba.
But Civo settled down quickly, pressuring the hosts on numerous occasions. Nelson Kangunje had the best chance of the first half but his glancing header went straight into the palms of Silver goalkeeper Blessings Kameza.
In the second half, Silver’s winger Blessings Tembo hit the post. Kangunje also had his header cleared off the line.
In a post-match interview, Silver’s assistant coach, Lovemore Fazili, was the most relieved person, but he admitted that Civo dominated the better part of the game.
Civo coach, Milias Pofera, was shocked with the result.
“Football is unfair. We played well but Silver just got the lucky goal. We are really disappointed,” Pofera said.
Moyale Barracks reached the round of-16 after beating Karonga United 1-0 at Mzuzu Stadium. Christopher Zgambo netted the only goal of the match.
At Nankhaka Stadium, Chipiku league side, Warm Heart Bullets caused one of the biggest upsets when they dumped Mzuni FC out of the competition.
Last year’s top goal scorer, Justin Duwe, was the hero for Warm Heart when he scored the only goal of the match.
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