The very first taste and feel of the Castel Cup has gone the FCB Nyasa Big Bullets way after the side were today 4-2 post match penalties winners over Silver Strikers in a highly charged final at Bingu National Stadium in Lilongwe.
In order to tie the score at one and take home their third trophy, the People’s Team had to rally from behind.
After Bullets controlled the Bankers for a significant portion of the first minute, Silver took an early lead through Atusaye Nyondo in the seventh minute against the flow of play.
Nyondo powered the ball past Bullets goalkeeper Richard Chimbamba with a nod in response to a corner kick from Duncan Nyoni.
After being passed in by Precious Phiri, Lanjesi Nkhoma leveled the score in the 22nd minute.
Due to a goalless second half, penalties were needed to end the game.
Chimbamba was hit by Nyondo and had to be extracted by Bullets due to injuries.
Clever Nkungula took his position, and he went on to save two penalties to give the Bullets a crucial win.
Yamikani Fodya, Hassan Kajoke, Clyde Senaje, and Precious Phiri all made successful spot kicks in the shootout.
Maxwell Paipi and Chimwemwe Idana scored for Silver, but Mkungula saved penalties from Nickson Mwase and Chinsinsi Maonga.
In addition to the TNM Super League and FDH Bank Cup, the Bullets now have the Castel Challenge Cup.
If they defeat Mafco in the Airtel Top 8 final the following week, they might end with a quadruple.
The largest competition in the nation, the Castel Challenge Cup, awards K320 million in prize money each season.
The champion takes home K50 million, while the runners-up receive K25 million.
Individuals eliminated in the round of 16 will receive K1.5 million each, while semi-finalists and quarter-finalists will receive K10 million and K5 million, respectively.
