Vincent Nyangulu scored in the winning penalty as Mighty Mukuru beat old town rivals Nyasa Big Bullets 5-3 on post-match penalties to win the Airtel TOP 8 Cup for the first time and subsequently take off a bad omen of not claiming any championship in four years in a match played at Bingu National Stadium in Lilongwe.
The shootout only could decide the winner after a goalless draw in match short of chances as all bragging rights were at stake.
Bullets looked to defend the cup while pressure remained on the Nomads to at least savage honors after a whole lot of our years and this particular trophy for the first time.
It was also a match in which four players faced against their former side. Babatunde Adepoju who and Precious Sambani who switched for the red side of Blantyre were in contention against their former clubs just like forward Chiukepo Msowoya and defender Miracle Gabeya on the opposite end.
The holders ignited the very initial intentions when an unmarked Ernest Petro who was later named Man of the Match lacked precision on his boots when his shot went marginally wide of the Wanderers goal manned by Richard Chipuwa who replaced William Thole having accumulated two yellow cards in their quarterfinal races against Mafco.
On several occasions just after the quarter hour mark, Felix Zulu managed to setup Msowoya but his headers were in match against Richard Chimbamba in goals.
An emotional Mark Harrison was outrightly seen encouraging his charged to play the ball in the right side where Sambani was seen limping off for several times.
However, he managed to keep out efforts and sprints by Misheck Botomani whose exchanges with Isaac Kaliati and Alfred Manyozo Jnr posited a great threat for Bullets.
With just three minutes to go, Calisto Pasuwa made formational changes demanding Patrick Mwaungulu to switch paths with Lanjesi Nkhoma but referee Godfrey Nkhakananga drew them for offside in quick succession.
In the second half, Bullets made changes taking off Mwaungulu, the limping Sambani and an inform Stanley Billiat. The trio got replaced by MacFarlane Mgwira, Hassan Kajoke and Yamikani Fodya.
Mgwira’s immediate battle came out at 62 minutes when he managed to nutmeg Wanderers captain Sanudi but his effort to cross was only cleared by a resurgent Peter Cholopi.
Wanderers then drew a first substitution taking off Msowoya for Nyangulu in the 78th minute with Bullets three minutes later brining in Henry Kabichi for Chimwemwe Idana whose prowess was not routinely seen in this match.
Missed chances dominated the last twenty minutes and the body language of both sets of players was quite clear that they felt penalties would indeed separate them and Nkhakananga blew that whistle sending the fans into a hefty anticipation.
In the shootout, Sanudi was first for Wanderers and sent Chimbamba the wrong way.
Bullets response came from Kajoke and his lowly taken shot was unmatched by Chipuwa.
Midfielders Francisco Mkonda then extended the Nomads lead as he fired past Chimbamba before Bullets failed to restored parity when Kesten Simbi was his effort over the bar.
Gabeya scored the third penalty and Fodya ensured Bullets were still in the game when his shot was nearly saved by Chipuwa at the right corner.
Another defender Cholopi calmly slotted in before Adepoju also scored.
The Bullets fanbase now wanted Nyangulu to miss but he would not at the back of full knowledge his spot kick meant everything for his charges facing a four-year streak of no silverware.
He stepped up and scored past Chimbamba to send the stadium’s blue half into frenzy, marking Harrison’s, first domestic accolade.
The Englishman hailed his charges for a spirited performance from which he said the team must build on next season.
‘’We played very well. We planned to keep Bullets out of possession and the penalties were everyone’s game but we draw positives from here until the next season,’’ said the Englishman who took over the leadership of the Nomads dugout from Alex Ngwira.
On his part, Pasuwa said his players gave it all but met a very determined side in Wanderers.
The Zimbabwean said: ‘’It was a very tough game for us although we managed to create a few chances. With penalties in sight, everyone stood to win it. We congratulate them [Nomads] for winning,’’.
By winning the Cup, Wanderers received MK17 million.
Airtel Managing Director Charles Kamoto described the competition as a success and said the company was proud of all the match ups and the excitement created among supporters at the end of the year.
The penalty matrix
Referee Godfrey Nkhakananga
Wanderers Bullets
Stanley Sanudi 92 ⚽ Hassan Kajoke 93 ⚽
Francisco Mkonda 95 ⚽ Kesten Simbi 96 ❌
Miracle Gabeya 98 ⚽ Yamikani Fodya 99 ⚽
Peter Cholopi 100 ⚽ Babatunde Adepoju ⚽
