Nyasa Big Bullets managed to defeat Amazulu 1-0 in their 2021/2022 CAF Champions League preliminary round first-leg clash played at Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban.
It was a tough fixture that Kalisto Pasuwa’s men faced, and the head coach will certainly be pleased with picking maximum points away.
Nyasa Big Bullets’ pivotal goal came on 25th minute courtesy of Chiukepo Msowoya, after Amzulu back line failed to clear their line.
Goalkeeper Richard Chimbamba remained hawk-eyed throughout the encounter and prevented multiple attacks from Amazulu from finding the back of the net.
Both teams gradually settled into the game, but it was Big Bullets who were creating all the clear cut chances in the first half.
The Peoples’ Team enjoyed some good spells of possession in the first stanza but faltered to a reinvigorated the Usuthu side in the second half, relentlessly storming Big Bullets’ goal with intent.
Nyasa Big Bullets had to play with one man down for the entire second stanza after Yamikani Fodya received marching orders in the 41st minute following a bad tackle on Amazulu midfilder.
There were a few scares for Amazulu and Babatunde Adepoju was especially threatening putting his physical prowess to full use and causing a menace to goalkeeper Veli Mothwa.
In one instance, Mothwa was forced to leave his line and dart forward to block Adepoju from progressing to score through an emphatic save.
Nyasa Big Bullets then held on to their 1-0 lead to the dying minutes of the game with Pasuwa opting to park the bus with only 10 men left on the pitch.
How they lined-up:
AmaZulu Starting XI: Mothwa, Moleko, Xoki, Malepe, Zulu, Mlambo, Makhaula, Qalinge, Luvuyo, Majoro, Maduna.
Subs: Boshoff, Mgwazela, Mzava, Gumede, Masilela, Buchanan, Sithebe, Ekstein, Mthembu.
