Bullets Reserves recorded a resounding 5-0 victory over Mighty Tigers Reserves in the ThumbsUp Southern Region Football League on Saturday afternoon at Kamuzu Stadium.
The first half…
The tempo was set early, as the match burst to life within the opening ten minutes. Prince Chalera, after a sharp combination with Kondwani Tebulo, was fouled in the area. Rising to the occasion, Chalera calmly converted the spot kick, sending the goalkeeper the wrong way and establishing an early lead for Heston Munthali’s boys.
Soon after, Francis Malikebu delivered a menacing corner, but the opportunity went begging with no one there to apply the finishing touch. Moments later, a swift move orchestrated by Chalera looked to have doubled the lead through Misheck Billiat, only for celebrations to be halted by the assistant referee’s flag for offside.
Bullets kept their foot on the gas, and in the 25th minute, Malikebu whipped in another pinpoint corner. Mussah Bwanali rose highest and thundered in a powerful header to double Bullets’ advantage.
Just three minutes on, fans were treated to a moment of brilliance. Tebulo, played in by Chalera, unleashed a ferocious strike that ricocheted off the post and into the net, making it 2-0 in spectacular style.
Tigers sought a response, forcing a quick corner in the 32nd minute, but Mussa Bwanali was unyielding at the back, diffusing the threat.
Chalera had a golden chance to add a third just after, latching onto Malikebu’s precise cross, but couldn’t convert.
Bullets carried a commanding 2-0 lead into the halftime interval, fully in control of proceedings.
The second half…
Emerging for the second half, Tigers showed renewed intent and won an early corner in the 47th minute, but the Bullets’ defense stood firm.
But any hopes of a comeback were swiftly dashed ten minutes later. Chalera split the opposition’s defense with a sublime diagonal ball to Malikebu, who drove inside and beat Jimmy Licksen at his near post to make it 3-0.
A tactical switch followed at the 62nd minute, with Henzie Manganyera replacing Enos Hendeman, injecting further energy into the midfield.
Malikebu came agonizingly close to his second goal shortly after, only for Licksen to produce a superb save following a pass from Prince Chiumia.
Moments later, Munthali rang the changes, introducing Hadji Steven, Zaneel Jussab, and Movic Banda in place of Misheck Billiat, Chalera, and Chiumia.
The impact was instant. Bullets broke quickly after defending a Tigers corner; Bwanali sent a searching ball forward to Malikebu, who found our latest Under 19s graduate, Manganyera. The substitute weaved past his marker and coolly finished into an open net, notching an emphatic fourth goal.
Our fifth goal arrived in spectacular style in the 85th minute. Tebulo combined brilliantly with Malikebu in a swift one-two before delivering a precise cross to substitute Banda, who emphatically finished to notch his first goal for Bullets and put the result beyond doubt.
Young Maule nearly added a sixth in the closing stages, but Banda’s header drifted wide and Tebulo’s corner was cleared, ensuring the final score remained 5-0. Bullets Reserves left the field with a statement victory.
What it means…
This dominant 5-0 result against Tigers sees our reserves preserve their flawless start to the season, with two wins from two matches and six goals scored. They stand proudly atop the league table.
Munthali’s post-match reaction…
“I’m extremely pleased with the team’s display today. It wasn’t an easy match, but we showed intensity, skill, and full dedication from the opening to the final whistle. Our strategy paid off; we created plenty of chances and scored early, which fueled our momentum.
“We spent the majority of the match in their half and controlled the game. Even with the five-goal margin, there’s still work ahead, especially as we integrate so many new players. We’ll return to training and keep improving, but this is the standard we want to set. From here, we push on.”
