Nyasa Big Bullets left it late to hand Moyale a painful defeat in a highly-contested game in the Airtel Top 8 Cup played at Kalulu Stadium in Nchalo.
Patrick Phiri came off the bench deep in the second-half to score the priceless goal in the added minutes of the game to give his team a slight advantage going into the second leg of the competition.
The game started on a high note with Bullets taking control of the opening stages but the People’s Team could not capitalise on Moyale’s shaky defence.
Bullets’ supply lines were kept alive in the entire first half with evergreen right winger, Fisher Kondowe and enterprising Precious Phiri, doing the job but Bright Munthali and Chiukepo Msowoya upfront could not find the target.
In the second-half, Moyale could have punished Bullets in the first five minutes but Chrisprin Fukizi’s effort hit the woodwork before Miracle Gabeya cleared Gastin Simkonda’s close attempt.
Bullets brought in exciting Mike Mkwate and Phiri for Nelson Kangunje and Munthali and the two combined well to put Moyale under intense pressure.
As the game looked destined for a draw, Mkwate received a high ball from Kondowe, beat a Moyale defender before pressing it to Phiri who slotted it into the net for the packed stadium to go into wild celebrations.
Ironically, that was the last kick off the match.
After the game, a visibly dejected Moyale Head Coach, Charles Kamanga, simply said the battle is not over.
“Conceding in added minutes of the game is very painful. We played better than Bullets in the second half but we did not utilise our chances. But we have another game at home and I am sure we will score two goals to go through,” Kamanga said.
His Bullets counterpart, Rodgers Yasin, said the win has given them an advantage.
“Cup games are always difficult. We pressurised them in the second-half to score that goal. We have hope that we will also do well in the second game,” Yasin said.
The two teams met at the same venue some two weeks ago and Bullets also won 2-0.
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