Defending champions, FCB Nyasa Big Bullets, were left frustrated after being held to a 1-1 draw by Ekhaya FC in the first leg of the Airtel Top 8 quarter-final on Saturday evening, as the People’s Team paid dearly for their profligacy in front of the goal.
Bullets, who completed a league double over the debutants last season with goals from Babatunde Adepoju, Ephraim Kondowe and Gasten Phodo, once again looked favourites against an Ekhaya side still finding its feet among the country’s elite.
However, a lack of clinical finishing prevented them from taking a decisive advantage into the return leg.
The encounter also marked the beginning of a new era at Bullets following the appointment of Zambian coach, Wedson Nyirenda, although the former Zambia international was not in charge on the touchline, with interim coach Heston Munthali overseeing the team’s affairs.
Ekhaya started the match at a frenetic pace and looked hungry for an early goal, dominating possession in the opening exchanges.
However, they failed to sustain their intensity as Bullets gradually settled and assumed control of proceedings.
Playing an attack-minded 3-5-2 formation, Bullets relied heavily on the creativity of George Chaomba and Clever Kalambo, with the latter repeatedly bombing down the left flank and cutting inside to torment the visitors’ defence.
The hosts created chance after chance but lacked the killer instinct. Chaomba came close in the 11th minute before Hassan Kajoke, whose misses reflected a player short of confidence, squandered a glorious opportunity after being found unmarked inside the penalty area.
Phodo also rattled the side netting from a Chaomba delivery, while Wongani Lungu had the ball in the net only to be denied by the offside flag.
Despite Bullets’ dominance, Ekhaya remained dangerous on the break.
In the 41st minute, they sliced through the Bullets defence with ease, but Allen Chihana shot straight at goalkeeper Innocent Nyasulu.
Shortly afterwards, Nyasulu produced another crucial save to deny Isaiah Nyirenda’s thunderous effort.
Ekhaya suffered a setback before the break when Samuel Rukura was stretchered off and taken to hospital, forcing the introduction of Aubrey Simbi.
Bullets finally broke the deadlock immediately after the restart.
A blistering move saw Phodo square the ball across goal for Chaomba to finish expertly, giving the defending champions a 46th-minute lead.
The goal appeared to open the floodgates as Bullets exerted sustained pressure in search of a second goal, but wasteful finishing once again haunted them.
Ekhaya gradually grew into the contest and almost levelled in the 67th minute after Emmanuel Kaonga failed to clear his lines. Chihana capitalised and found himself one-on-one with Nyasulu, but Kaonga recovered well to avert the danger.
The reprieve proved temporary.
In the 70th minute, Bullets once again failed to deal with a floated delivery into the box, allowing Chihana to pounce and slot home the equaliser.
The goal visibly rattled the hosts. Ekhaya suddenly seized control, with Bullets looking tired and stretched as the visitors piled on the pressure.
The visitors twice appealed for penalties after defensive blunders involving Blessings Mpokera and Kaonga, but the referee’s calls went against them.
Bullets almost snatched victory late on when Chaomba unleashed a powerful strike, but Ekhaya goalkeeper, Clever Mkungula, produced an excellent save to preserve parity.
The final whistle left the defending champions with plenty to ponder on ahead of the decisive second leg, while Ekhaya, inspired by man-of-the-match Allen Chihana, walked away with renewed belief that they can cause a major upset and eliminate the holders.
