Nyasa Big Bullets gave away the lead twice then lost 4-2 on post-match penalties to Silver Strikers after a two-all draw in regulation time of the FDH Cup quarterfinal match in Lilongwe on Wednesday afternoon.
Silver progressed to the semifinals of the inaugural national knockout trophy to date Be Forward Wanderers later this month when the other semifinal will involve Ekwendeni Hammers and Rumphi United.
The defeat came three days after Bullets lost 1-0 in the Cecafa Kagame Cup final to Uganda league champions Express at Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania.
Bullets welcomed back Zimbabwean coach Kalisto Pasuwa from Covid-19 isolation at Silver Stadium, and all seemed on course for them to erase memories of that painful defeat in Tanzania.
Strikers Hassan Kajoke, who returned from unsuccessful trials at Cape Town City in South Africa last month, put Bullets ahead in the fourth minute after beating Silver goalkeeper Charles Thom from close range.
However, the lead lasted 30 minutes as striker Stain Davie levelled matters for Silver to ease pressure on Zambian coach Dan Kabwe who was reinstated after being sacked over poor results. The two teams went to break at 1-1.
In the second half, it took only three minutes for Bullets to restore their lead through striker Zico Mkanda’s well taken effort, only for Dave to equalise again for Silver in the 64th minute after connecting an expertly executed free-kick.
Thereafter, the game went straight into post-match penalties which saw Bullets keeper Rabson Chiyenda saving the spot-kick from Price Phiri of Silver who went on to convert through Chisomo Mpachika, Patrick Macheso, Levison Maganizo and Mark Fodya.
On the other end, Thom stopped penalty kicks from defender Sankhani Mkandawire and substitute Henry Kabichi of Bullets whereas midfielder Chimango Kaira and left-back Yamikani Fodya, elder brother to Mark, converted for the visitors.
In a post-match interview with Malawi FA media team, Pasuwa said his players tried their best but they conceded cheap goals.
“It is very unfortunate the way we were conceding goals. We lead, we let them come and we lead we let them come again. We were conceding from a long ball that is easily defended. I don’t have anything to complain today. These boys’ legs were tired; they did their best as penalties can go either side. You can’t blame anybody,” he said.