YOUNG BULLETS FAIL TO REACH THE STARS

By Foster Sonkie Leymanni

The Inaugural Manchester Motors  Mechanical Centre U-20 Cup final has finally come to an end on Easter Monday which saw Ndirande stars crown as the champions.

It was the dream final for both Bullets Youth and Ndirande stars which were testified with thousands of spectators, on Monday afternoon at Kamuzu Stadium in Blantyre.

Young Bullets sustained a defeat against Ndirande Stars  4-3 on penalties to acknowledge their first Manchester Motors Mechanical Centre cup Under 20 championship.

Ndirande stars took the lead in the first half through  Yamikani Kucheza in the first minutes of the game.

The game had several chances for both teams and either side was to find an equalizer and a security goal respectively.

The 2017/2018 FMB U-20 champions, Ndirande Stars, quickly answered back with a counter-attack that saw them get a good shot on target, pushing an aerial save from goalkeeper Duncan  Kumwimba.

Bullets fighting with coherence in their interplay moving forward,  Ndirande Stars attacked intensely on the left-hand side until halftime.

Terrific to fight back coach Autry Kalulu retreated from the extent still volleying instructions to his youngsters and in the 54th minute made a triple substitution. Almost instantly, Bullets' aggressiveness started to show as they now found a corridor down the right-hand side. Defender Happy Mphepo overlapped to cut in many dangerous crosses but no Bullets Youth player could guide them into the back of the net.

Super Substitute Matamando  Matchipitsa was later played through in the box and brilliantly produced a first-time strike to get Bullets Youth back on level terms in the tie. The beauty of the strike aroused epic celebrations among Bullets fans around the stadium which was almost fully packed.

With 5 minutes remaining,  Ndirande Stars, against the run of play, could have got the winner but were denied by a magnificent fingertip save from Bullets goalie Duncan Kumwimba.

It was an end-to-end action in the closing minutes with both teams looking for a winner.  Captain Gift Jossam who had enjoyed a strong performance throughout the game was beautifully set up in the box by Wongani Kamanga but wasted the best chance of the game, firing over the bar.

1-1 at full time the tie went straight into the penalty shootouts and Ndirande Stars just like in the semis against Griffin Young Stars emerged victors. They scored all (4) of the penalty kicks while Bullets Youth scored 3 and missed 2.

In a post-match interview Bullets, Youth head coach Autry Kalulu expressed deep disappointment while lamenting his side's inability to take the several second-half goal-scoring opportunities.

"We had our plan, we wanted to bring this cup trophy to the Bullets family but that did not happen. We came fighting in the second half and after the substitutions, we created several chances but failed to finish the game. Penalties are a 50-50, we should have won it during normal time." Said Kalulu whose last major silverware was the inaugural FMB U-20 football league back in 2011.

Former Might Wanderers goalkeeper, Simeon Kapusa and head coach for Ndirande Stars rejoiced in the victory when he faced the media after the game.

"It was a difficult match. We played well in the first half, finding an early goal as well as keeping them under pressure throughout the half. Our opponents fought back hard after the break but we told our boys to calm down and they managed to take the game to penalties and we are happy we won in the end. " Said Kapusa.

Both coaches praised the stiff competition the cup presented and hoped for its continuity. The young Bullets got themselves into the final after a come-back 2-1 win over Blantyre United while Ndirande Stars edged out Griffin  Young Stars on penalty shootouts 4-3.

For both teams, focus after the K 2.5 million Manchester Motors Cup will now be on the First Capital Bank U-20 league which soon gets underway.