FCB Nyasa Big Bullets Women have opened a three-point gap over Kukoma Ntopwa Women following a goalless draw in the Goshen-FAM Women’s Football Southern Region League top-of-the-table clash at Mpira Stadium on Saturday.
The two Blantyre rivals engaged in a fierce end-to-end battle despite sharing the spoils with a scoreless tie.
What happened
The match erupted blisteringly, with both teams clamouring for supremacy. Isaac Jomo Osman’s side came looking for revenge after losing 4-0 against Maggie Chombo’s ladies in September.
And with Bullets battling to finish top of the table and reclaim the region championship, we came knocking as early as the second minute when Rachel Matemba tested Ntopwa’s goalkeeper Mercy Sikelo.
Again, Matemba stepped up from a corner kick three minutes later only to see her effort landing straight into the palms of Sikelo.
The visitors also showed intent in the eighth minute, again threatening from a corner kick, but Olivia Phikani’s attempt was cleared away from danger by Bernadette Mkandawire.
Sharon Dzimau’s free-kick led to quick successive corners, but Ntopwa’s defence held firm to deny Bullets a lead in the 19th minute.
In the 36th minute, Funny Magombo had an opportunity to hand Osman’s side a lead. However, her strike was thwarted by Thokozani Mwase’s spectacular save to end the game at 0-0 at the interval.
Going into the second half, Chombo made a double substitution as Asimenye Mwanyongo and Shira Dimba paved the way for Vanessa Issa and Matamando Makawa.
Early in the final period, Matemba missed a golden chance to punish Ntopwa after she was found in a one-on-one situation with Sikelo but she blasted the ball over the bar.
The substitution proved to be pivotal to Bullets as we launched several attacks only lacking the finishing touch in the box.
In the 63rd minute, we won a free kick on the edge of the box after Zainab Kapanda was brought down, unfortunately, Dzimau’s free-kick went off target.
Bullets continued with a series of attacks, with Tendai Sani’s shot sailing wide in the 75th minute before Dzimau’s short free kick with Issa was again wasted.
Ntopwa introduced Mary Chindeya for Ester Chauluka as they were looking for fresh legs. Bullets also responded as Chombo brought on Tamara Mhango for Matemba.
In the last five minutes, Bullets had two quick corner kicks. Dzimau took them both, but we were unsuccessful. Sikelo made great saves to deny us a double against Ntopwa this season, and the spoils were shared at the end.
What it means
Saturday’s stalemate means Bullets Women have extended their unbeaten run this season to 16 games.
With two games remaining to finish the 2024 campaign, Bullets have amassed 44 points and have a three-point lead against the second-placed Ntopwa, who have also played 16 games.
What Chombo said after the match
” It was a tough match, but we’re pleased with a point. We knew they would come hard, but the girls showed resilience and fought until the end. There is a lot we need to work on, the girls missed several chances, we will go back to training and work on finishing and focus on our next opponent.”
