Maxwell Gasten Phodo and Hassan Kajoke struck for FCB Nyasa Big Bullets as they beat Civil Service United and opened up a 2-0 Airtel Top 8 quarter-final first-leg lead on Wednesday.
The 2021 winners eased to a comfortable win against the Servants who failed to utilize home ground advantage.
Phodo netted from long range after 34 minutes beating goalkeeper Lumbani Chitete to his far right corner.
Despite having more possession in the second half, Civil Service United conceded the second on 72nd minute, with Kajoke drilling home inside the box after being released by McFarlane Mgwira’s superb pass.
In a battle between the Lilongwe and Blantyre giants, Bullets demonstrated their strength with an impressive counterattack football, while Civil showed why they are stuck in relegation zone of the Super League.
“we started slowly but we raised up intensity, we managed to get a goal in the first half and in the second we came and got another goal which was good for a cup game” said Bullets coach Kalisto Pasuwa
The Zimbabwean tactician made seven changes to the team that beat MAFCO FC 3-0 last Sunday in FDH Bank Cup final at Bingu Stadium.
In defense only Precious Phiri started today alongside Collins Okumu, Nickson Nyasulu and Erick Kaonga to cover goalkeeper Rabson Chienda who maintained his position.
In midfield, Pasuwa rested Patrick Mwaungulu and Frank Willard for McFarlane Mgwira and Blessings Mpokera while Phodo replaced Ephraim Kondowe to partner with Antony Mfune.
Asked his secret in rotating his players Pasuwa said: “we need each and every player to be prepared, we are playing three or four games in a space of 10 days which is very difficult to a player and also considering the fact that we are playing on hard surfaces so you need to manage the squad” he added
The People’s Team relied on midfielders Mpokera and Chawanangwa Gumbo to pull the strings.
Wilson Chidati, in his fourth game leading Civil after the firing of Oscar Kaunda threw veteran midfielders Dan Kumwenda Innocent Tanganyika into the starting line-up.
Tanganyika who scored against Bullets in 2022 TNM Super League match to force a draw at Kamuzu Stadium, was one positive for the hosts earlier on, slipping Damiano Kunje through inside the box after 19 minutes but the right back fired over the bar.
Six minutes later, Tanganyika made his way into the box but his powerful shot missed the target.
The visitors found the opener on 34 minutes, with Gasten Phodo netting his fifth goal in all competitions since he joined FCB Nyasa Big Bullets from Silver Strikers late last year.
Phodo collected the ball near the D-zone and dribbled past Boston Kabango before smashing the ball into the net.
Bullets took a slight control of the game but the score sheet remained the same until halftime.
The second half started with Civil Service United pressing harder for an equalizer but they failed to crack a very solid Bullets defense.
Katinji missed an opportunity to pull level after 53 minutes when he headed over the bar a teasing cross from Festus Duwe.
A difficult afternoon was compounded when substitute Kajoke squeezed an effort through Chitete’s left hand side and into the bottom corner to double the visitors’ advantage.
Civil Service United almost pulled one back on 80th minute but Chienda made a stunning save to deny Katinji from close range.
Another substitute, Kondowe might have netted another in stoppage time but he was denied by Chitete’s excellent save.
The Servants have struggled badly for goals this season and they have not scored any goal against top flight team in their last three games.
But despite all the struggles, assistant coach for the Servants Wilson Chidati believes a comeback in the second leg is possible.
“If they scored 2 goals at our home, it’s also possible for us to beat them at their backyard” said Chidati
FCB Nyasa Big Bullets will host Civil Service United on 28th October 2023 in the second leg of Airtel Top 8 Cup at Kamuzu Stadium.
